Chemostat

Chemostat
Chemostat schematic
A chemostat diagram featuring inflow (feed) and outflow (effluent).
IndustryBiological engineering
ApplicationResearch and Industry
Enclosed chemostat vessel with a continuous and adjustable inflow of medium and outflow of effluent, used for controlled growth of microorganisms. The system maintains a constant volume and level of aeration. The growth rate of the microorganism is controlled by manipulation of the inflow of fresh medium, while the population density is regulated through changing the concentration of the limiting nutrient. This open system allows researchers to maintain the exponential growth phase of cells for use in physiological experiments.[1]

A chemostat (from chemical environment is static) is a bioreactor to which fresh medium is continuously added, while culture liquid containing left over nutrients, metabolic end products and microorganisms is continuously removed at the same rate to keep the culture volume constant.[2][3] By changing the rate with which medium is added to the bioreactor the specific growth rate of the microorganism can be easily controlled within limits.

  1. ^ Madigan, Michael (2015). Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Pearson. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-0-321-89739-8.
  2. ^ Novick A, Szilard L (1950). "Description of the Chemostat". Science. 112 (2920): 715–6. Bibcode:1950Sci...112..715N. doi:10.1126/science.112.2920.715. PMID 14787503.
  3. ^ James TW (1961). "Continuous Culture of Microorganisms". Annual Review of Microbiology. 15: 27–46. doi:10.1146/annurev.mi.15.100161.000331.