For growy things yeast and bacteria, in the world of making things grow there are what are referred to as machines, or bioractors. They assist scientists and businesses in making drugs and food, among other products, more efficiently. Bigger is not always better despite what some people think and small bioreactor platforms can be on par with their larger partner. At KNIK, we have been exploring what these small machines can do, just as well or better. Let’s break down this big question about tiny machines.

Small-volume bioreactor in fermentative productivity: Opportunities for the future

Small bioreactors are tiny powerhouses. They are small, but man, they can work like nobody’s business. Imagine baking a cake. Sometimes, a small oven can bake a cake just as well as a big one, if you know how to maneuver it. Small bioreactors can be just as efficient, if you use them right. KNIK has been programmed around making these little things as wise as possible. We, on the other hand, like to get as much liquid out of them as possible. This means more product out with less waste. The trick is to know what to manage in those units the temperature, the mixing and the availability of oxygen are also very important. You are only giving the yeast or bacteria a perfect home to do its job as happily and fast as possible.

Performance of small bioreactors for large-scale fermentation purposes

Now, the larger question: Can tiny units tackle big jobs? Well, it’s, in some ways, a bit like lots of little ovens in a big bakery. If there are lots of them, and they are all in good working order, you can bake plenty of cakes at the same time. At KNIK, we found that with good preparation, many small bioreactors can come together to tackle big problems. It’s as if you have a league of tiny power centers working in unison. So they can be used in big factories, with the only real consideration being not so much the amount of cleaning, as the sheer size of the product. The key is to make sure that each of the many small units works right and in sync with the rest.

Validation of small bioreactor for large manufacture

When you want to make a lot of something, for example medicine, or food, you want to be sure that small machines can keep up. we’ve been experimenting with this idea at KNIK. It is a bit like trying to figure out if a small car can outrun larger cars over a very long race. What we have found is that small bioreactors, if they are well designed, can be just as fast and efficient. They may not hold what some used to at one time, but the latest generations can have remarkable consistency and dependability. In areas where everyone gives a shit about every batch being perfect, like the pharmaceutical industry, it’s super important.

Comparative efficient of small vs. large bioreactors in fermentation applications

Explaining the comparison between small and large bioreactors is a bit like comparing a scooter to a bus. Either can get to where you need to be going, but they do so in different ways. There is simply more capacity in big bioreactors, which is great when you are enveloping large volumes of material end over end. But micro bioreactors, like those that KNIK uses, have a flexibility. They can be put to work more quickly, sent to work a broader variety of jobs, and are easier to maintain. Smaller charities are often good places to try out experiments and new ideas (as they may also have fewer resources and less of a time lag to impact reporting). You’re using the right tool for the right job, in a sense.

Pros and cons of small scaled fermentors and for industrial production fermentations

Shrinking bioreactors presents its challenges. It’s sort of like squeezing all the features of a big smartphone into a smaller one. We know how fragile perfect can be. You have to be very careful in how you construct them and how you deploy them.” But the upside is also huge. The smaller units can be cheaper to run, and they’re easier to repair if something does go amiss. And they’re smaller, too, which is always a plus in crowded factories. That, they say, is the point: Ensuring that the small can do the work as well, if not better, than the big.

Eventually at the end of the day, whether you’re big or small, the goal is to generate reliable output. Here at KNIK, we are excited to see where these small bioreactors with large output can take the fermentation world next.