Abstract
Continuous bioprocessing using cell retention allows the achievement of high space-time yields for slow-growing organisms such as halophiles. However, the lack of efficient methods for monitoring and control limits the application of biotechnological processes in the industry. The aim of this study was to implement a control and online monitoring strategy for biomass in continuous cultures. For the first time, a feedforward cultivation strategy in a membrane-based cell retention system allowed to control the biomass concentration of the extreme halophilic Haloferax mediterranei at defined levels. Moreover, soft sensor-based biomass estimation allowed reliable monitoring of biomass online. Application of the combined monitoring and control strategy using industrial process water containing formate, phenol, aniline and 4,4′-methylenedianiline could for the first time demonstrate high throughput degradation in this extremophilic bioremediation process, obtaining degradation efficiencies of up to 100%. This process demonstrates the usefulness of continuous halophilic cultures in a circular economy application.
Highlights
Many areas of industrial production result in the continuous generation of large quantities of complex process water streams
Halophilic microorganisms have huge potential in terms of waste water treatment since they can be cultivated under non-sterile conditions and are able to use a broad variety of carbon sources [8,9,10]
In order to develop a control strategy that enables the control of biomass concentration of extremely halophilic H. mediterranei, a continuous membrane-based cell retention system was used
Summary
Many areas of industrial production result in the continuous generation of large quantities of complex process water streams. Halophilic microorganisms have huge potential in terms of waste water treatment since they can be cultivated under non-sterile conditions and are able to use a broad variety of carbon sources [8,9,10]. They are able to degrade a large variety of contaminants in process waters, e.g., aromatic compounds like phenol or aniline [11,12]. A process for treatment of large quantities of industrial process water would have to meet three major criteria: (1) Simple control of biomass concentration, (2) accurate online monitoring of biomass concentration, and (3) high productivity to achieve high liquid throughput
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