Production of protein-rich fungal biomass in an airlift bioreactor using vinasse as substrate.

The potential for large-scale production of an edible fungus, Rhizopus oligosporus, on a liquid residue from sugar-to-ethanol production, vinasse, was investigated. An airlift bioreactor (2.5-L working volume) was used for cultivating the fungus on 75% (v/v) vinasse with nutrient supplementation (nitrogen and phosphorus) at 37°C and pH 5.

Flat panel airlift photobioreactors for cultivation of vegetative cells of microalga Haematococcus pluvialis.

The novel flat panel airlift photobioreactor (FP-ALPBR) was proposed as an alternative system for the cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis NIES-144. Changes in the efficiency of the system were tested in response to variations in two engineering parameters: the ratio between the downcomer and riser cross-sectional areas (A(d)/A(r)) and the size of the system (as determined by the length of the panel) and to one operating parameter: the superficial gas velocity (u(sg)). The best growth performance was obtained by operating the system at a superficial velocity of 0.