Development of a novel microplate for high-throughput screening and
optimization of DHA producing strains based on CFD technology
Abstract
Microtiter plates are suitable for screening and process development of
most microorganisms. They are currently the container of choice for
high-throughput and small-scale microbial culture, but require
optimization for specific work. This research presents a novel type of
microtiter plate was developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
technology. The new plate provides high oxygen supply and optimal mixing
effects for the fermentation culture of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
producing strains, surpassing the conventional method of strains
screening with shake flasks, which is insufficient. the shape of the
microtiter plate was modified, and baffles were introduced to improve
mass transfer and oxygen supply effects in the vibrating bioreactor. CFD
technology was used to model the new plate’s characteristics,
establishing the superiority of hexagonal microtiter plates with six
baffles. Parameters in the incubation process, such as vibration
frequency and liquid load, were optimized, and the final result achieved
a KLa of 0.61s-1 and a volume power input of 2364 w/m3, which was 4-5
times better than the original 96-well plate. The culture results
optimized by the model were also verified. Therefore, this new
microtiter plate provides a powerful tool for future high-throughput
screening of strains.