DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL BOX-SHAPED SHAKE FLASK WITH EFFICIENT GAS-EXCHANGE CAPACITY

A novel hox-shaped shake flask with membrane Biters fitted in its uppe r sides was developed for efficient gas exchange. During rotation, the liquid flow inside the flask is broken up at tile four angles of the flask, while membrane Biters ire opposite sides serve alternately as g as inlet and outlet ports, depending on the direction in which the fla sk is moving. Consequently, the oxygen transfer coefficients both acro ss the gas-liquid interface and through the membrane filters are snore than ten times higher than those in an Erlenmeyer flask with a cotton plug. The volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, volatilization rate constant, and cultivation performance of representative strains of mi croorganisms were used to evaluate the gas exchange capacity of the ne wly developed shake flask. It was confirmed that the gas exchange capa city of the flask was the same as that of a jar fermentor.