A NOVEL MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR FOR MICROBIAL-GROWTH

A novel membrane bioreactor, previously assessed for its gas transfer characteristics, was used in various size and membrane configurations for the growth of the strictly aerobic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginos a. The bioreactor was found to readily support growth, and the initial growth rates showed the previously demonstrated enhanced effect in ga s O-2 mass transfer of the dimpled membrane bioreactor over flat membr ane bioreactors. The production of a secondary metabolite by a Pseudom onas sp. following growth was demonstrated, as was the biotransformati on of a nitrile by nocardia rhodochrous with the removal of the biotra nsformation products across a membrane. The potential of the bioreacto r, in terms of other applications in the field of biotechnology, is di scussed.