2025/06/27 by Arulrajah, Prasika, Lievonen, Anni Elina, Subaşı, Dilara +3
#Bioprocess #Bioreactor #C. glutamicum #CHO #Chemical Engineering::660.6: Biotechnology #E. coli #Electronic Engineering #Fermentation #Fungi and Algae #Gradients #Natural Sciences and Mathematics::579: Microorganisms #S. cerevisiae #Scale-down #Technology::621: Applied Physics::621.3: Electrical Engineering #Technology::660: Chemistry
paper · doi:10.15480/882.15304
In large-scale bioprocesses, gradients in pH, dissolved oxygen level (DO), and substrate concentrations can decrease bioprocess efficiency. Scale-down bioreactors, be it single stirred-tank bioreactors with a special feeding regime, multi-compartment bioreactors, or combinations of bioreactors, offer a promising lab-scale solution for comprehending these gradients, as they allow adjustment of gradients without incurring high costs. However, critical challenges arise when transitioning from large-scale to scale-down bioreactors. Chief among these is realistically approaching the gradient conditions of large-scale bioreactors and choosing appropriate scale-down bioreactor configurations. This review paper begins by addressing the gradients encountered in large-scale bioreactors. Afterward, various types of scale-down bioreactors are characterized and compared, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. The suitability of scale-down bioreactors is analyzed by examples of bioprocesses with different microorganisms and mammalian cells to underscore the complexities inherent in scale-down bioprocesses and emphasize the influence of cellular responses to these conditions. Finally, the potential of miniaturized and microfluidic bioreactors is briefly discussed for future application in scale-down studies.