Table 1

A comparison of different types of reactors with biofilm reactors

Reactor Type

Comments

Membrane reactor

Advantages

High productivities, high cell concentration can be achieved inside the reactor, clear permeates for further separation

Disadvantages

Fouling with cells, cost prohibits their use in low cost large volume chemical production

Immobilized cell reactors

Covalent bond formation

Advantages

High cell concentration may be achieved, high productivity

Disadvantages

Cell growth inside matrix may be restricted, cells leach out of the matrix and hence centrifugation of effluent may be required, chemical may affect the cells

Entrapment

Advantages

High cell concentration may be achieved, high productivity

Disadvantages

Matrix often starts disintegration with time, cells leach out of matrix, centrifugation of reactor effluents is required for further separation

Biofilm

Advantages

Comparatively high reactor productivities and high cell concentrations are achieved, reactors run longer and are economic to operate

Disadvantages

Effluent centrifugation is required

Qureshi et al. Microbial Cell Factories 2005 4:24   doi:10.1186/1475-2859-4-24