Methods for reactor monitoring

Tracking methods are being developed and incorporated in order to monitor the reactor as continuously as possible. These are to be established as online methods with the aim of generating knowledge about the ecosystem (metabolism, nutrients, etc.) from the reactor in order to subsequently derive methods for the targeted enrichment and cultivation of the desired microorganisms.

Various monitoring methods were discussed and determined during the exploratory phase. The following methods have turned out to be particularly promising:

• ATP monitoring
• Monitoring of the number of cells using flow
• Live sequencing to determine the composition of the microbiological community
• Labeling studies with stable isotopes
• Monitoring via standard cultivation