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Chapter 2<br />

2.1.4. CDC Bi<strong>of</strong>ilm Reactor<br />

The CDC Bi<strong>of</strong>ilm Reactor (CBR) is a one litre vessel with an effluent spout<br />

positioned to hold approximately 350ml <strong>of</strong> media once assembled.<br />

Continuous mixing <strong>of</strong> the reactors bulk fluid is provided by a magnetised<br />

baffled stir bar, which is controlled by a digital stir plate to determine the<br />

rates per minute (rpm). The top <strong>of</strong> the reactor consists <strong>of</strong> polyethylene top<br />

with three inlet ports (media, gas exchange and inoculation port) the top<br />

also supports eight independent rods. Each rod accommodates three<br />

removable coupons (bi<strong>of</strong>ilm growth surfaces) for a total <strong>of</strong> 24 sampling<br />

opportunities. The reactor is connected to two carboys (large autoclavable<br />

re-usable plastic bottles). The fresh media carboy and waste media carboy<br />

are connected to the CBR using silicone tubing. The culture was circulated<br />

into the reactor via sterile tubing which is fed through a peristaltic pump<br />

which controls the flow rate through the reactor. An advantage <strong>of</strong> the CBR<br />

is that the mixing and feed rate are optimum (the inflow rate is identical to<br />

the outflow rate) which is designed to flush out planktonic cells whilst only<br />

leaving the sessile cells in the reactor. This method also ensures that the<br />

conditions are as near as possible to identical in all locations within the<br />

reactor [171]. The inlet spout is connected to a glass flow-breaker which<br />

prevents contamination from the inoculated media from entering the clean<br />

media if there is a reflux in the piping. The CBR reactor is set-up to run<br />

within the confined area <strong>of</strong> a fume hood, the tubing is secured in position<br />

(above the inlet spout) to the wall using heavy duty duct tape. All<br />

components <strong>of</strong> the CBR are autoclaved before and after use. Images <strong>of</strong> the<br />

CBR and equipment are provided in figures 2.1 and 2.2 on page 63.<br />

2.1.5. Advantages and disadvantages <strong>of</strong> the CBR<br />

The main advantage <strong>of</strong> the CBR is the ability to examine up to 24 individual<br />

coupons simultaneously. This means that research such as investigating<br />

bi<strong>of</strong>ilm density or protein development at different time points during<br />

bi<strong>of</strong>ilm development and on different substrata can be assessed<br />

simultaneously under uniform conditions using one reactor [121]. It also<br />

Page<br />

43

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