Question

Beside better aeration and mixing properties, what other advantages do stirred tank bioreactors have over shake flasks?

Answer 1

A bioreactor is a larger industrial equipment which is used for bioprocesses particularly fermentation. Many types of bioreactors are designed based on the process. Two of the most common types of bioreactors are stirred tank bioreactors which are supplied with an impeller and an agitator for mixing and shake flasks which use a shaker for mixing.

Complete answer:
A stirred tank bioreactor is much better as compared to a shake flask bioreactor due to the following advantages of the stirred tank bioreactor:
1. The impeller in the stirred tank bioreactor ensures better aeration and mixing along with proper and uniform heat transfer in the whole fermentation media.
2. Regular sampling could be made from stirred tank bioreactors as they are supplied with sampling ports.
3. Temperature and pH monitoring can be done more easily in a stirred tank bioreactor and separate probes for monitoring are present in this type of bioreactor.
4. Scaling up inoculation cultures can be done with ease while using stirred tank bioreactors.

Additional information:
A stirred tank bioreactor is made up of a cylindrical vessel with a central shaft that is driven by a motor with one or more agitators. Different types of agitators are used for different applications. A sparger is attached with the agitator in stirred tank bioreactors which help in mechanical aeration for oxygen supply in the fermentation medium.

Note:
A bioreactor is a container designed and manufactured to provide an effective environment for enzymes or whole cells to convert biochemical substances into products. In some cases, the inactivation or sterilization of cells occurs in a bioreactor, such as in water purification. A bioreactor is used for various industrial processes like fermentation, brewing, biocatalysis etc.