A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities

Summary

A novel reactor design, coined a high density bioreactor (HDBR), is presented for the cultivation and study of high density microbial communities. Here, the HDBR is successfully applied in a photobioreactor (PBR) configuration for the study of nitrogen metabolism by a mixed high density algal community.

Abstract

A novel reactor design, coined a high density bioreactor (HDBR), is presented for the cultivation and study of high density microbial communities. Past studies have evaluated the performance of the reactor for the removal of COD¹ and nitrogen species^2-4 by heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic bacteria, respectively. The HDBR design eliminates the requirement for external flocculation/sedimentation processes while still yielding effluent containing low suspended solids. In this study, the HDBR is applied as a photobioreactor (PBR) in order to characterize the nitrogen removal characteristics of an algae-based photosynthetic microbial community. As previously reported for this HDBR design, a stable biomass zone was established with a clear delineation between the biologically active portion of the reactor and the recycling reactor fluid, which resulted in a low suspended solid effluent. The algal community in the HDBR was observed to remove 18.4% of total nitrogen species in the influent. Varying NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- concentrations in the feed did not have an effect on NH₄⁺ removal (n=44, p=0.993 and n=44, p=0.610 respectively) while NH₄⁺ feed concentration was found to be negatively related with NO₃^- removal (n=44, p=0.000) and NO₃^- feed concentration was found to be positively correlated with NO₃^- removal (n=44, p=0.000). Consistent removal of NH₄⁺, combined with the accumulation of oxidized nitrogen species at high NH₄⁺ fluxes indicates the presence of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria within the microbial community.

Introduction

Municipal wastewater is commonly treated with activated sludge processes in order to reduce the suspended solids (SS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), organic and inorganic nitrogen, and phosphorous content^5,6. The activated sludge process, a means of secondary wastewater treatment, entails the oxidation of organic carbon in an aeration tank filled with a mixed liquor of incoming wastewater and recycled heterotrophic microorganism (commonly referred to as activated sludge)^5-7. The mixed liquor then enters a relatively large clarifier (settling tank) where the sludge settles for easier collection, to either be disposed or recycled back to the aera....

Protocol

1. Reactor Assembly

1. Arrange the reactor components according to the schematic in Figure 1.
   1. Place the reactor (R) on a mixing plate, add a stir bar to the reactor. Place the recycle tank (RT) beside the stir plate and reactor so that the effluent (top) port of the tank is directed towards the edge of the lab bench.
   2. Place the waste container (W) underneath the effluent (top) port of the recycle tank (RT). Place the feed tank (FT) next to the recycle tank (RT).
      Note: The feed tank has a total capacity of 5 L.
2. Secure the reactor (R) against tipping with an appropriately sized stand and cla....

Results

The HDBR was used to cultivate algae over several ratios of influent ammonia and nitrate concentrations, while maintaining a total nitrogen content in the feed at 40 mg –N L^-1. Influent and effluent samples were taken daily; biomass density samples were taken at the beginning and end of each condition. The reactor took on average 3-5 days to reach steady state equilibrium after conditions were changed. Over a wide range of influent conditions a distinct biomass zone was established, as observed previous studie.......

Discussion

This section will start with a discussion of protocol variations needed to address possible operational issues as well as using different microbial communities. The strengths of this reactor design will be discussed, including the ability to govern control of oxygen flux and the formation of high density flocs within the reactor. Current challenges and possible avenues of investigation will also be mentioned.

Protocol nuances and variations
The operation of HDBRs for cultivation.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Aeration stone	Alita	AS-3015C
Aerator	Top Fin	Air-1000
Ammonium chloride	Sigma Aldrich	A9434
Anion analysis column	Shodex	IC SI-52 4E
Beaker (600 ml)	Corning Pyrex	1000-600	Used as mixing vessel (MV). Addition of hose barbs at the bottom and 500 ml levels. Outside diameter of hose barbs 3/8".
Calcium chloride	Sigma Aldrich	C5670
Cation analysis column	Shodex	IC YS-50
Cobalt chloride hexahydrate	Sigma Aldrich	C8661
Copper chloride	Sigma Aldrich	222011
Ferric chloride	Sigma Aldrich	157740
Filter (vacuum)	Fisherbrand	09-719-2E	0.45 μm membrane filter, MCE, 47 mm diameter
Graduated cylinder (1,000 ml)	Corning Pyrex	3025-1L	Used as reactor vessel (R). Addition of hose barbs at bottom, 500 ml, and 1 L levels. Outside diameter of hose barbs 3/8".
HPLC/IC	Shimadzu	Prominence
Magnesium sulfate	Sigma Aldrich	M2643
Masterflex L/S variable speed drive	Masterflex	07553-50	Drive for recycle and feed pumps (2 needed)
Nickel chloride hexahydrate	Sigma Aldrich	N6136
Potassium nitrate	Sigma Aldrich	P8291
(Monobasic) Potassium phosphate	Sigma Aldrich	P5655
Pump head	Masterflex	07018-20	Recycle pump head
Pump head	Masterflex	07013-20	Feed pump head
Pump tubing	Masterflex	6404-18	Recycle pump tubing
Pump tubing	Masterflex	6404-13	Feed pump tubing
Sodium bicarbonate	Sigma Aldrich	S5761
Zinc sulfate heptahydrate	Sigma Aldrich	Z0251