Controlling pH in shake flasks using polymer-based controlled-release discs with pre-determined release kinetics |
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Authors: | Marco Scheidle Barbara Dittrich Johannes Klinger Hideo Ikeda Doris Klee Jochen Büchs |
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Institution: | (1) Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Biochemical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Sammelbau Biologie, Worringer Weg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany;(2) Textile Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 8, 52074 Aachen, Germany |
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Abstract: | Background There are significant differences in the culture conditions between small-scale screenings and large-scale fermentation processes.
Production processes are usually conducted in fed-batch cultivation mode with active pH-monitoring and control. In contrast,
screening experiments in shake flasks are usually conducted in batch mode without active pH-control, but with high buffer
concentrations to prevent excessive pH-drifts. These differences make it difficult to compare results from screening experiments
and laboratory and technical scale cultivations and, thus, complicate rational process development. In particular, the pH-value
plays an important role in fermentation processes due to the narrow physiological or optimal pH-range of microorganisms. To
reduce the differences between the scales and to establish a pH-control in shake flasks, a newly developed easy to use polymer-based
controlled-release system is presented in this paper. This system consists of bio-compatible silicone discs embedding the
alkaline reagent Na2CO3. Since the sodium carbonate is gradually released from the discs in pre-determined kinetics, it will ultimately compensate
the decrease in pH caused by the biological activity of microorganisms. |
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