How to prepare a bioreactor for autoclaving

     Before undergo the fermentation process bioreactor and all its compartment must be sterile first in autoclave to prevent contamination. Below shows all steps preparation a bioreactor for autoclaving.

1. First, the buffer pH 4.01 and buffer pH 7.01 was prepared.

 2. Then the pH probe was took and the cap was removed  on the bottom and platinum was scraped to make sure it is neutral.

3. The probe was put in the pH buffer to set the point of the calibration curve, C1 is pH 7.01 and C2 is pH 4.01.

4. When calibrated step, the pH probe  need to insert together with the temperature probe to allow comparison.

5. The medium was poured  into the vessel with the adding of 15ml distilled water to make sure that no evaporation lost during autoclaving the medium.

6. The pO2 electrode was took and the green plastic end cap ws removed. Then, the bottom metal section was unscrewed to check whether there was liquid electrolyte in the membrane cartridge inside. There is a bottle provided from the company to top up the liquid electrolyte if the level of the liquid is low. After that, the end section was replaced, and fit it into the vessel vertically and secured it.

7. The reagent which is antifoam liquid was prepared by adding around 10ml in the 250ml bottle. A silicone dip tube was connected to one metal pipe on the head plate was checked. The tubing between the bottle and the pump head is clamped off.

8. Then the other parts of the fermentor was set up, exit gas cooler with filter, inlet filter connected to sparger, free port for inoculation and sample device. Need to double check all these accessories already completely set up. Then need to use aluminium foil to close all the parts that will direct exposed to the air before autoclaved, so that the fermentor will remain sterile after taking out from the autoclave.

9.Bioreactor was ready to autoclave.