A novel conico-cylindrical flask aids easy identification of critical process parameters for cultivation of marine bacteria.

A polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) conico-cylindrical flask (CCF) with an inner arrangement consisting of eight equidistantly spaced rectangular strips mounted radially on a circular disk to provide additional surface area for microbial attachment and ports to allow air supply was employed for melanin production by Shewanella colwelliana and antibiotic production by Pseudoalteromonas rubra. The design allowed comparison of production between (1) CCF with hydrophobic surface (PMMA-CCF), (2) CCF with hydrophilic glass surface (GS-CCF), and (3) standard unbaffled Erlenmeyer flask (EF). Melanin production in the PMMA-CCF was higher by at most 33.5% and growth of S. colwelliana by at most 309.2% compared to the other vessels. Melanin synthesis was positively correlated with reactor surface area and hydrophobicity, suspended cell growth, and biofilm formation. Antibiotic production in the EF was higher by at most 83.3%, but growth of P. rubra was higher in the PMMA-CCF by at most 54.5% compared to the other vessels. A hydrophilic vessel surface, abundant air supply, but low shear stress enhanced antibiotic production. The CCF together with the EF allowed identification of the crucial parameters (vessel surface characteristics, growth, biofilm formation, and aeration) influencing productivity, knowledge of which in the initial stages of process development will facilitate informed decisions at the later phases.