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A bioreaction–diffusion model for growth of marine sponge explants in bioreactors

  • Biotechnological Products and Process Engineering
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Abstract

Marine sponges are sources of high-value bioactives. Engineering aspects of in vitro culture of sponges from cuttings (explants) are poorly understood. This work develops a diffusion-controlled growth model for sponge explants. The model assumes that the explant growth is controlled by diffusive transport of at least some nutrients from the surrounding medium into the explant that generally has a poorly developed aquiferous system for internal irrigation during early stages of growth. Growth is assumed to obey Monod-type kinetics. The model is shown to satisfactorily explain the measured growth behavior of the marine sponge Crambe crambe in two different growth media. In addition, the model is generally consistent with published data for growth of explants of the sponges Disidea avara and Hemimycale columella. The model predicted that nutrient concentration profiles for nutrients, such as dissolved oxygen within the explant, are consistent with data published by independent researchers. In view of the proposed model’s ability to explain available data for growth of several species of sponge explants, diffusive transport does play a controlling role in explant growth at least until a fully developed aquiferous system has become established. According to the model and experimental observations, the instantaneous growth rate depends on the size of the explant and all those factors that influence the diffusion of critical nutrients within the explant. Growth follows a hyperbolic profile that is consistent with the Monod kinetics.

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Acknowledgements

Professor M. J. Uriz of the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, Girona, Spain, is thanked for kindly arranging for the identification of the sponge. We are grateful to Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía (Delegación Provincial de Almería) for permitting us to take samples of marine sponges in the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata, Almería. This research was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (REN2001-2312-C03-03/MAR), Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120, Almería, Spain

    F. Garcia Camacho, T. Chileh, M. C. Cerón García, A. Sánchez Mirón, E. H. Belarbi & E. Molina Grima

  2. Institute of Technology and Engineering, Massey University, Private Bag 11, 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Y. Chisti

Authors
  1. F. Garcia Camacho
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  2. T. Chileh
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  3. M. C. Cerón García
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  4. A. Sánchez Mirón
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  5. E. H. Belarbi
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  6. Y. Chisti
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  7. E. Molina Grima
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Correspondence to F. Garcia Camacho.

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Garcia Camacho, F., Chileh, T., Cerón García, M.C. et al. A bioreaction–diffusion model for growth of marine sponge explants in bioreactors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 73, 525–532 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0495-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-006-0495-2

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