Understanding and controlling detrimental bioreactor biofilms

Abstract

Unintentional biofilm formation within a bioreactor can have serious detrimental effects on bioreactor performance. These range from the obvious (reduced heat-transfer efficiency, increased frictional resistances, and fouling of internal diagnostic probes) to the more subtle (atypical econiches, species- or strain-specific adhesion, and inaccurate estimates of culture stoichiometric and kinetic parameters.) Detection and control of unwanted biofilm formation in bioreactors are also considered.