Manufacturing-Morphology-Property Relationships for Biofilms
摘要
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic biofilm-forming microorganisms offer a wide spectrum of various biotechnological interesting products, which makes them promising cultivation organisms for industry, as biotechnological processes can be made simpler and more efficient. The biggest challenge is the cultivation since standard bioreactors like airlift or stirred tank reactors are not suitable for the cultivation of biofilms. Here, special biofilm bioreactors have been developed in recent years that imitate the natural habitat of biofilms. The choice of the surface plays an important role in the initial adhesion of the cells that form the basis for the subsequent biofilm formation and productivity. To enhance initial adhesion different materials were microstructured and used as a surface for the cultivation of different biofilms. It could be shown, that initial adhesion can positively be influenced by designing flow-breaker structures. Furthermore, pH and ionic strength have an impact on initial adhesion. In summary, it can be said that microstructured surfaces have an impact on biofilm thickness and structure, biomass formation, and productivity of valuable products.