Description
Autoclavable laboratory fermenter/bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and animal or plant cells.
This bioreactor combines the proven innovations of the Minifor (such as its stirring system and compact design) with the latest technological advancements, prioritizing intuitive operation and simplified data management.
It allows for real-time monitoring of parameters such as temperature, pH, airflow, and stirring of multiple units. It can be easily expanded for measuring and/or controlling additional parameters (ORP, foam detection, optical density, pCO₂, conductivity, biomass, balance, etc.). It also features an easy-to-use software update system.
Advantages of the fermenter
- A touchscreen user interface with intuitive software provides real-time data monitoring, graphical visualization, and data storage. Advanced features, such as the cascade option, offer enhanced control.
- This fermenter-bioreactor is designed for laboratories seeking efficient bioproduction. Its compact size saves valuable bench space while providing excellent port access for seamless sterile operations, ensuring complete sterility.
- This bioreactor features interchangeable glass vessels (0.3 L, 0.4 L, 1 L, 3 L, and 7 L) for fermentation volumes ranging from 35 mL to 6 liters.
- It incorporates an innovative, non-rotating vertical stirring system that replaces traditional propeller stirrers. This advanced system eliminates the need for costly motors and magnetic couplings, reducing costs while improving sterility and performance. This system ensures powerful and efficient mixing without vortex formation, thus eliminating the need for baffles. This vertical agitation is not only highly effective but also gentle on cells and minimizes foam production, making it ideal for sensitive cultures. The integration of biomimetic, fishtail-shaped stirring discs enhances mixing efficiency. Inspired by nature, these discs work in perfect harmony with the vertical movement to ensure uniform, seamless mixing, guaranteeing safety and optimal performance.
- The fermenter also features a high-resolution 7-inch (1024 × 600 pixels) IPS TFT touchscreen that provides a clear image from any viewing angle. Its capacitive touchscreen is glove-friendly and ensures smooth and precise control, even during the most complex fermentations.
- The bioreactor can be expanded with peripherals such as gas analyzers, chemostat culture balances, gas flow regulators, anti-foam detectors, and additional feed pumps. This flexibility makes the Minifor2Bio an ideal solution for both aerobic and anaerobic bioprocesses.
The bioreactor utilizes infrared (IR) heating technology, positioned beneath the vessel, for homogeneous temperature distribution. This gentle heating method mimics natural sunlight, thus protecting sensitive cultures during cell culture. Temperature control is achieved through this active heating and passive cooling via a cold water loop immersed in the medium.
The pH is maintained at the desired level through the automated addition of base or acid by peristaltic pumps. The bioreactor’s intelligent pH control system ensures stable fermentation conditions by regulating the speed of the base or acid addition pumps. Data transfer is performed via USB or Ethernet (LAN), with an optional Wi-Fi module for wireless monitoring. These connectivity options simplify data management and enable remote process monitoring. - For other parameters, it also features efficient and precise control loops, such as dissolved oxygen (DO) through oxygen enrichment. It is ideal for high-density cell culture. This fermenter is compatible with Hamilton ARC sensors for accurate measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, CO2, cell density, and viable cell density. The measurement of these parameters can be linked to actions such as the addition of a substrate or a corrective agent.
The bioreactor incorporates a real-time clock, recording and time-stamping all process data. This facilitates accurate data analysis and compliance with regulatory standards.
Technical data
- Power Supply: Universal mains power supply 100–240 V | AC/50–60 Hz, 400 W | CE Compliant | Meltdown 5 x 20 F2A
- Dimensions: 220 x 444 x 350–550 mm (W x D x H)
- Display: 7-inch IPS TFT, 1024 x 600 resolution, capacitive touchscreen
- Fermentation Tank: Pyrex borosilicate glass, 6 to 8 threaded necks; capacities: 0.3, 0.4, 1, 3, and 7 liters
- Temperature Control: High-efficiency 150 W infrared (IR) heat source with gold parabolic reflector. Regulation: From 5 °C to 70 °C (above ambient temperature) | Measurement: From 0 to 99 °C in 0.1 °C increments | Accuracy: ± 0.2 °C (0 to 60 °C) | Sensor: Pt100 electrode integrated into the glass electrode of the pH probe
- pH Control: Sterilizable pH electrode, pH 0–14, with automatic temperature correction, two-point calibration, and Variopin connector or ARC digital probe. Range: 0 to 14.0 pH units | Resolution: 0.1 or 0.01 pH unit (adjustable) – Analog Probe Types: Autoclavable Hamilton/Mettler Toledo analog pH probe with Pt100 temperature sensor or equivalent with Variopin connector – Digital Probe Types: Hamilton ARC technology with Variopin connector
- pO2 Control: Sterilizable, fast-response Clark-type oxygen sensor, automatic temperature correction, two-point calibration, dissolved oxygen (DO) control via airflow regulation or cascade controller. Range: 0 to 25 mg/L oxygen, in 0.1 mg/L increments, saturation 0 to 100% (adjustable units) | Resolution: 0.1 or 0.01 (adjustable) | Analog probe type: Fast-response, sterilizable Clark-type LAMBDA oxygen sensor | Digital probe type: Hamilton ARC technology (Clark type or optical)
- Air flow rate: 0 to 5 L/min in 0.01 L/min increments, measured by a precision mass flow meter, linearity ±3%, reproducibility ±0.5%. Control: Microprocessor-controlled proportional valve. Supplied air pressure: 0.05 – 0.2 MPa (0.5 – 2 atm).
- Agitation: 50 W vibrator, 0 to 20 Hz (0 to 1200 rpm) in 0.1 Hz (6 rpm) increments, with one or more stirring discs; sterility similar to magnetic coupling.
- Type: Active peripherals (DEVICE): device controlled by internal software – Pumps: PRECIFLOW touch, HIFLOW touch, MAXIFLOW touch, MEGAFLOW touch – Gas flow regulators: MASSFLOW 500 touch, MASSFLOW 5000 touch – Outlet gas analyzers: OXYMETER touch, CARBOMETER touch, METHANMETER touch – Balance: BALANCE 20.
- Side ports/outlets: one large outlet. Quadruple sampling/addition port with four needles and double-sealed LAMBDA PEEK fittings, used for sampling, inoculation, defoaming, feeding, harvesting, adding corrective solutions, etc. Additional dual ports are available.
- Gas Flow Control: Configurable gas mixing: Several electronic flow controllers with flow ranges of 0 to 5 L/min (MASSFLOW 5000) or 0 to 500 mL/min (MASSFLOW 500) can be used for controlled gas addition (e.g., N₂, O₂, air, CO₂) into cell cultures.
- Interface: USB 1.1/2.0 Type B (PC control) | USB 1.1/2.0 Type A (host) for data export or software updates | LAN | Wi-Fi (optional)
- PC control: MIRETO software application for online monitoring, management, and data download
- Operating temperature: 0 to 40°C
- Operating humidity: 0 to 90% RH, non-condensing
- Weight: 7 kg
