Comparing Leading Bioreactor and Fermentor Brands: Our Top Choices

‍Introduction

As a lab manager, choosing the right bioreactor or fermentor system is crucial for optimizing cell growth and meeting production needs. However, with so many brands on the market, determining the best system for your application can be daunting. This blog post compares specifications, features, and performance of top bioreactor and fermentor systems from leading manufacturers like Sartorius Stedim, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eppendorf, and GE Healthcare. We’ll provide an unbiased assessment to help you select the ideal system for your lab and workflow.

Overview of Bioreactors and Fermentors

Bioreactors and fermentors are vessels used to grow cells or microorganisms in a controlled environment. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some key differences:

• Bioreactors are designed for growing animal, plant, or microbial cells under closely monitored and tightly controlled conditions.
• Fermentors are specifically used for growing microorganisms like bacteria or yeast to produce metabolites, proteins, or other cellular products through fermentation.

Both bioreactors and fermentors allow you to closely control growth parameters like temperature, pH, airflow, agitation rate, and nutrient supply. Advanced systems come equipped with extensive monitoring capabilities and built-in controls for automation and data tracking.

Key Features to Consider

When evaluating bioreactor and fermentor systems, here are some of the most important features to consider:

• Working volume range: What scale of operation do you need to accommodate? Benchtop systems often range from 0.1-10L, while larger floor-standing bioreactors can reach volumes up to 25,000L.
• Agitation: Agitation rate and impeller design impact oxygen transfer rate, mixing, and cell shear forces.
• Aeration: Is the system capable of supplying oxygen according to your cell culture demands? Spargers, microspargers, and headspace aeration options should align with your goals.
• Temperature control: Tight regulation of temperature is vital for cell viability and reproducibility between runs.
• pH monitoring and control: Can the system detect pH changes and adjust automatically by adding acids/bases?
• Dissolved oxygen monitoring: DO sensors allow you to monitor oxygen saturation percentage in real-time so you can ensure it stays at optimal levels.
• Connectivity: Choose systems with communication interfaces, data logging/trending charts, and compatibility with chromatography systems or downstream purification processes.
• Ease of maintenance: Quick and simple cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems can drastically reduce downtime and contamination risks.

Leading Bioreactor and Fermentor Brand Comparison

Now, let’s dive into a comparison between four top brands of bioreactor and fermentor systems.

Sartorius Stedim Bioreactors and Fermentors

German manufacturer Sartorius Stedim produces an extensive portfolio of top-quality fermentors, bioreactors, and cell culture equipment for R&D, process development, and large-scale cGMP manufacturing.

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Their ambr® line for microbial applications is ideal for strain screening, media optimization, and process development. The ambr250 modular system uses automated liquid handling and in-line sensors for monitoring pH, DO, biomass, and metabolites in each individual reactor. With minimal volume requirements and rapid turnaround times, ambr systems accelerate bioprocess optimization.

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When scaling up for commercial production, Sartorius’ BIOSTAT® large-scale fermentors and bioreactors deliver exceptional performance and flexibility. The BIOSTAT D-DCU II model offers dual-stage impeller configurations plus optimized CIP and sterilization-in-place (SIP) functionalities. The A Plus controller automates data capture, analysis, reporting, batch record generation, and CFR 21 Part 11 compliance.

Overall, Sartorius provides sophisticated, large-volume bioprocess solutions for cGMP requirements, with the ambr line filling an important role for early development.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Bioreactors and Fermentors

Known across labs worldwide for their premium quality lab equipment, Thermo Fisher Scientific produces the HyPerforma line of single-use bioreactors plus fully automated benchtop development systems ideal for inoculum generation, process development, and scale-up studies.

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The HyPerforma S.U.B. systems offer excellent flexibility, ease-of-use, fast changeover times, and reduced contamination risks compared to traditional stainless steel reactors. Thermo Fisher also partners with leading manufacturers like ABEC, Broadley James, and Entegris to provide validated bioprocess container film and mixing technology for cost-effective production in HyPerforma bioreactors up to 2000L.

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For smaller scale optimization, the ambr 250 modular system rivals Sartorius’ performance. ambr Bio reactors integrate automated control over parameters like temperature, DO, pH, and feeding with specialized Thermo Scientific microscale vessel designs. Multiple microbial and cell culture configurations suit nearly any application.

When paired together, the ambr 250 and HyPerforma lines deliver unmatched small-to-large scale bioprocess continuity.

Eppendorf Bioreactors

German engineering leader Eppendorf produces industry-standard BioBLU®, DASbox®, and DASGIP® bioreactor and fermentor suites for strict control over cultured cell and microbial cultivation processes.

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The DASbox line offers compact, plug-and-play fermentation systems with dual-mode vessels to support bacterial, yeast, fungal, plant, and animal cell cultures. Their DASGIP parallel bioreactor systems feature independent control technology to let you automate and optimize four bioreactors simultaneously. By mimicking production-scale parameters early in process development, DASGIP bioreactors speed scale translation.

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BioBLU single-use stirred tank bioreactors integrate consumables like vessels, tubing kits, and prepacked sterile media for contamination-free monoclonal antibody, vaccine, and protein generation up to 40L scale. Multiple impeller options plus liquid addition bottles allow customization across applications.

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No matter your specific need and scale, Eppendorf delivers advanced functionality, flexibility, and seamless integration to support your bioprocesses.

GE Healthcare Bioreactors

GE Healthcare is a top producer of Xcellerex® stainless steel and single-use bioreactors plus FlexFactory® modular, flexible biomanufacturing equipment for robust cell culture-based processes.

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Their Xcellerex XDR bioreactor systems range from 10L to 2000L volume for clinical and commercial manufacturing. The Xcellerex XDUO® hybrid technology option pairs a single-use bioreactor bag with a reusable stainless steel outer support container to get the best of both operational modes. For smaller scale process development and optimization, their ambr 250 high-throughput system rivals competitors’ offerings.

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GE Healthcare also provides associated chromatography and cell removal equipment to establish complete start-to-finish bioproduction workflows. With their quality components and support team, GE Healthcare bioreactors deliver superb performance with the flexibility to adapt alongside evolving projects.

How to Select the Ideal System

With numerous reputable bioreactor and fermentor brands on the market, choosing the best fit for your application requires careful consideration of both specifications and price. Begin by making a detailed list of your must-have features based on vessel dimensions, automation needs, and cell requirements. From there, you can narrow down brands and sizes that check your boxes.

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Smaller R&D labs may prioritize rapid screening enabled by parallel reactor systems from Thermo Fisher, Eppendorf, or similar vendors. On the other hand, if you need pilot or large-scale manufacturing capabilities, focus on cGMP-compliant stainless steel options from trusted producers. Don’t simply default to the cheapest quote or model – ensure the system truly aligns with your goals.

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As you evaluate options and quotes, consider reaching out to an equipment expert from IT Tech. With over 20 years of experience supplying laboratories across India, our specialists will ensure you select durable, high-performance bioreactors and fermentors that maximize your budgets. Submit an inquiry today to discuss your needs with our team!