African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (10), pp. 1164-1170, 16 May 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Review

The Membrane Gradostat Reactor: Secondary metabolite production, bioremediation and commercial potential

S. K. O. Ntwampe¹*, M. S. Sheldon¹ and H. Volschenk²

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.

²Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: Sheldonm@cput.ac.za,  Tel. +27 21 460 3160; Fax: +27 21 460 3282.

Abbreviations: MBRs, Membrane bioreactors; MGR, membrane gradostat reactor, ECS, Extra capillary space; SCMGR, Single capillary membrane gradostat reactor, and MCMBR, Multicapillary membrane gradostat reactor.

Accepted 19 February, 2007

This manuscript focuses on the aspect of a membrane gradostat as an entirely different concept compared to submerged hollow fibre modules. The use of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology is rapidly advancing in the wastewater treatment industries. However, this is not the case in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industries. The MGR has shown great potential and versatility in terms of industrial applications. It can be used in both wastewater treatment and biopharmaceutical manufacturing using different modes of operation to meet any predetermined process requirements. The MGR concept uses capillary membranes, which contain microvoids in the substructure to immobilise microbial cells or enzymes, depending on the bioreactor’s application. Operational requirements of the MGR and its commercial potential are discussed from a bioprocess engineering perspective.

Key words: Membrane bioreactor, gradostat reactor, secondary metabolite production, biofilm, wastewater treatment.