Bioreactor technology in marine microbiology: From design to future application

• Published in: Biotechnology advances Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 312 - 321
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yu, Arends, Jan B.A., Van de Wiele, Tom, Boon, Nico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Inc 01-05-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bio electrochemical system; Biological and medical sciences; bioprocessing; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; chemistry; coasts; Ecology; Economics; energy; Eutrophication; Evolutionary; food production; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; High-pressure bioreactor; Marine; marine ecosystems; Marine resources; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbiology; microorganisms; oceans; pollution; Reactor design; renewable energy sources; Seawater - microbiology; Sustainable green technology; Various methods and equipments; Waste treatment; Water Microbiology; High-pressure bioreactor; Marine resources; Bio electrochemical system; Sustainable green technology; Eutrophication; Design; Marine environment; Bioreactor; Microbiology; Technology; Application
• ISSN: 0734-9750; 1873-1899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.01.004

Marine micro-organisms have been playing highly diverse roles over evolutionary time: they have defined the chemistry of the oceans and atmosphere. During the last decades, the bioreactors with novel designs have become an important tool to study marine microbiology and ecology in terms of: marine microorganism cultivation and deep-sea bioprocess characterization; unique bio-chemical product formation and intensification; marine waste treatment and clean energy generation. In this review we briefly summarize the current status of the bioreactor technology applied in marine microbiology and the critical parameters to take into account during the reactor design. Furthermore, when we look at the growing population, as well as, the pollution in the coastal areas of the world, it is urgent to find sustainable practices that beneficially stimulate both the economy and the natural environment. Here we outlook a few possibilities where innovative bioreactor technology can be applied to enhance energy generation and food production without harming the local marine ecosystem.