Exercising greater process control and delivering improved yields are constant challenges for bioprocessing operations. Here’s how mass flow controllers help.
Joe Sipka, Brooks Instrument
While the accuracy of an MFC when it’s first installed is important, repeatability references how well that accuracy is maintained over hundreds of hours of operation — and is an equally important specification. [Image courtesy of Brooks Instrument]
Role of MFCs in bioreactors
MFCs play an essential role in maintaining a bioreactor’s controlled environment and achieving optimal cell growth. Two critical factors that govern cell culture yield are the levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the bioreactor and the pH of the fermentation broth.
Tight control of dissolved oxygen is achieved by using the MFC to enrich the airflow with oxygen, or by depleting it with nitrogen. In turn, maintaining the proper levels of DO regulates cell growth and reduces the production of toxic cell by-products.
Tight control of pH with carbon dioxide flow is also critical. Some bioreactor processes introduce acids and bases to achieve the desired pH level, but this approach is often too harsh for the delicate mammalian cells involved in bioprocessing. Using carbon dioxide (CO2) to tightly control pH levels has been found to be a more effective approach.
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