JP2019033678A - Continuous culture method of microbes - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a culture method of microbes capable of improving a collection efficiency of microbes and capable of easily setting a culture condition.SOLUTION: There is provided a continuous culture method of microbes comprising a step for adhering microbes to an inner wall 2a of a plate-shaped member 2 forming a space 1 and/or to a carrier provided in the space 1 in a single layer or bilayer space 1 formed by two or more plate-shaped members 2 having light transmissivity or one or more plate-shaped member 2 having light transmissivity and one or more plate-shaped member 2 having no light transmissivity, and supplying a culture liquid to the plate-shaped member 2 to which microbes are adhered and/or carrier to which microbes are adhered for culturing microbes, in which an interval of the plate-shaped members 2 forming the space 1 is 1-2 mm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for continuously culturing microorganisms.

As measures against global warming and other global environmental protection, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible are strongly sought by industry in each country. Microalgae such as chlorella and microorganisms such as photosynthetic bacteria are considered very promising as resources that can produce energy without emitting CO ₂ and other industrially available resources. There is high expectation for the manufacture.

  In order to use microalgae such as chlorella for energy resources and other industrial uses, it is required to improve the production volume at the lowest possible cost. And need a tank. Therefore, there are problems such as cost increase due to acquisition of land or enlargement of facilities.

Therefore, in order to effectively use the land and improve the production volume per unit area with simple equipment, the culture solution is allowed to flow down naturally on the surface of the vertical carrier, and microorganisms such as microalgae continue on the carrier surface. Thus, a culture system has been proposed in which microorganisms are continuously collected from a culture solution that has been grown and naturally flowed down (for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, a thin water film on the surface of the carrier corresponds to the pool water surface of the conventional method, and light (artificial light), carbon dioxide gas, and nutrients are obtained and photosynthesis is smoothly performed. In a unit storing this method, a single carrier can obtain a culture volume equal to or greater than the water surface of the same area, and a parallel multi-layer equipment of the carrier can yield 10 times 20 times the conventional method such as a pool per floor area. Can be expected.
Furthermore, by stacking the units up and down, it can be expected to secure a culture amount 100 times that of the conventional method per floor area.
In addition to the quantity, it overcomes the location restrictions that currently limit domestic and overseas production areas to areas with abundant sunlight, making it possible to culture in polar regions, underground, and even in outer space.

JP 2013-153744 A

However, in the culture system described in Patent Document 1, the culture solution is caused to flow down along a carrier disposed in the gas phase in a substantially vertical direction. Have a problem that the collection efficiency of the cultured microorganisms is reduced. In addition, since it is difficult to control the flow rate of the culture solution, there is a problem that it is difficult to set culture conditions.
In addition, the collection density is related to the group density of microorganisms, and if the density is low, growth is negatively affected. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the population density of microorganisms and supply light, carbon dioxide, and nutrients. Become. That is, it is possible to culture without waste that optimization of microorganisms and environmental conditions in a minimal space can be realized.
Therefore, the present invention provides a microorganism culturing method that improves the collection efficiency of microorganisms and allows easy setting of culture conditions.

As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have formed the space in a method of culturing microorganisms by supplying a culture solution in a space formed using a plate-like member or a tubular member. The interval between the plate members is set to 1 to 2 mm, and the space between the plate members is made into a thin band-like space, so that the population density of microorganisms can be easily increased and the culture solution is efficiently given to the microorganisms to stably grow the microorganisms. The inventors have found that the present invention is maintained and have completed the present invention.
That is, the present invention
(1) A single layer formed using a plate-like member having two or more translucency, or a plate-like member having one or more translucency and one or more plate-like members having no translucency In a multi-layered space, the plate-like member and / or the microorganism to which the microorganism is attached by attaching microorganisms to the inner wall of the plate-like member forming the space and / or the carrier provided in the space. A method for continuously culturing microorganisms, comprising a step of culturing microorganisms by supplying a culture solution to a carrier to which is attached, wherein the interval between the plate-like members forming the space is 1 to 2 mm,
Regarding
(2) In the step of culturing the microorganism, the method for continuously culturing a microorganism according to (1), wherein the space is filled with a culture solution,
(3) The method for continuous culture of microorganisms according to (1) or (2), wherein light is irradiated from one or both sides of the plate-like member,
(4) The method for continuously culturing a microorganism according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the culture solution contains carbon dioxide gas,
(5) The continuous culture method for microorganisms according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the translucent plate-like member is carbon dioxide permeable,
(6) The method for continuous culture of microorganisms according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the culture solution discharged from the space is supplied to the space again to culture the microorganism.
(7) The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of (1) to (6), including a step of recovering microorganisms from a part or all of the culture solution discharged from the space,
(8) The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of (1) to (7), including a step of pressurizing the space and collecting the microorganisms accumulated or staying in the space.
(9) The continuous culture method for microorganisms according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the plate-like member is arranged in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or an inclination.
(10) The method for continuously culturing a microorganism according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a protrusion having a height of 10 to 100 μm is formed on at least one of the inner walls of the plate-like member forming the space. ,
(11) The method for continuously culturing a microorganism according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the microorganism is a microalgae.

  In the method for culturing microorganisms of the present invention, light is obtained by culturing microorganisms in a thin strip-shaped space formed with a spacing of 1 to 2 mm between plate-like members in a state in which the culture solution is supplied and the group density is easily increased. It is possible to improve the collection efficiency of microorganisms by using the amount, the amount of carbon dioxide gas, and the amount of the culture solution without waste, and it is possible to easily adjust the flow rate of the culture solution and easily set the culture conditions There is an effect.

It is the perspective view which showed typically a part of microorganism culture system which can implement the cultivation method of the microorganisms of this invention. It is the figure which showed the inside of the housing | casing 3 typically, and showed the microorganism culture system which can implement the cultivation method of the microorganisms of this invention. (A) It is an example of sectional drawing which looked at FIG. 2 by the AA line. (B) It is another example of sectional drawing which looked at FIG. 2 by the AA line. It is the figure which showed the inside of the housing | casing 3 typically, and showed the modification of the microorganism culture system which can implement the microorganisms cultivation method of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the method for continuously culturing microorganisms of the present invention will be described.

  The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plate-like member having two or more translucency, or a plate-like member having one or more translucency and a plate having no one or more translucency. In a single-layer or multi-layer space formed by using a member, a microorganism is attached to the inner wall of the plate-like member forming the space and / or a carrier provided in the space, and the microorganism is Having a step of culturing microorganisms by supplying a culture solution to the adhered plate-like member and / or the carrier to which the microorganism is adhered, and the interval between the plate-like members forming the space is 1 to 2 mm Features.

  Specifically, the method for continuously culturing microorganisms of the present invention includes (1) a plate-like member and / or microorganisms to which microorganisms are attached in a thin strip-like or flat space formed using a plurality of plate-like members. A step of culturing microorganisms by supplying a culture solution to the carrier on which the material is adhered, (2) a step of recovering microorganisms from a part or all of the culture solution discharged from the space, and (3) after recovering the microorganisms The step of supplying the culture solution in the space again. In addition, after a process (1), you may have the process of pressurizing the inside of space (1-2) and collect | recovering the microorganisms accumulate | stored or staying in the space.

(1) In a thin strip-like or flat space formed by using a plate-like member, a culture solution is supplied to the plate-like member to which microorganisms are attached and / or a carrier to which microorganisms are attached to culture the microorganisms. Step In this step, microorganisms are attached to the inner wall of the plate-like member forming the space, microorganisms are attached to the carrier provided in the space, or microorganisms are attached to both the inner wall and the carrier of the plate-like member. The culture solution is supplied to culture the microorganism.

As shown in FIG. 1, the space 1 formed by using plate-like members is, for example, two or more plate-like members 2 that are opposed to each other so that their plate surfaces 2 a are substantially parallel to each other. One layer is formed between the inner walls 2a, 2a of the plate-like members 2, 2.
The space 1 formed using the plate-like member 2 may be a single layer or multiple layers.
The interval between the plate-like members 2, 2, that is, the thickness L of one layer of the space 1 is preferably 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less, and the space between the plate-like members 2, 2 is preferably a thin strip or flat space. .

The plate-like members 2 may all be translucent, and one or more plate-like members 2 of the plate-like members 2 are translucent as long as light reaches any space 1. The other one or more plate-like members 2 may not have translucency.
The thickness of the plate-like member 2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably formed thin from the viewpoint of translucency and the like.

  For example, when the space 1 has two or more layers, three plate-like members 2 are used. However, if the outer sides are plate-like members 2 that do not have translucency, it is difficult for light to reach the space 1. It is not preferable. When providing the space 1 of two or more layers, the plate-shaped member 2 which does not have translucency can be used only on one outer side, and the plate-shaped member 2 which has translucency can be used for others. In this case, it is preferable that light is irradiated from the plate-like member 2 having translucency toward the plate-like member 2 having no translucency.

Moreover, when providing the space 1 of two or more layers, light can also be delivered in the space 1 by irradiating light from both outer sides using the plate-shaped member 2 which has translucency at least on both outer sides.
In addition, the reflective sheet may be distribute | arranged to the plate | board surface of the side which can receive the light of the plate-shaped member 2 which light cannot reach easily, or the plate-shaped member 2 which does not have translucency.

In the present specification, the term “having translucency” in the “translucent plate-like member 2” means that 50% or more of light having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm that can be absorbed by microorganisms is transmitted.
“No translucency” in the “plate-like member 2 having no translucency” means a case where the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm is less than 50%.

The shape of the plate-like member 2 is not particularly limited, and can be formed in a rectangular shape, other polygonal shapes, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like according to the housing to be accommodated. The plate-like members 2 arranged to face each other are preferably formed in the same shape and arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in the arrangement direction.
Since the space between the plate-like members 2 and 2 is arranged in the range of 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less, a spacer may be appropriately arranged in order to keep this distance in the entire inner wall 2 a of the plate-like member 2.

  A space 1 formed between the plate-like members 2 and 2 serves as a culture space 1 for microorganisms and a flow path for a culture solution. Therefore, except for the supply part and the lead-out part of the culture solution, the end portions of the plate member 2 are sealed, and the microorganisms cultured in the space 1 and the supplied culture solution are scattered outside the plate member 2. It may be possible to prevent this.

The plate-like member 2 may be a sheet-like or film-like member in addition to a glass-like member that is not easily deformed as long as the interval between the plate-like members 2 can be maintained at 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.
It does not specifically limit as a material of the plate-shaped member 2 which has translucency, For example, transparent things, such as glass, an acryl, a polystyrene, a vinyl chloride, are mentioned.

As the plate-like member 2 having translucency, one having carbon dioxide gas permeability is preferable. During the growth of microorganisms, carbon dioxide in the culture solution is gradually consumed. However, if the plate-like member 2 having translucency is permeable to carbon dioxide, outside carbon dioxide is introduced into the space 1 even during cultivation. Since it takes in, it becomes unnecessary to add a carbon dioxide gas in a culture solution or the space 1, or it becomes possible to reduce the amount to add.
It does not specifically limit as a material of the plate-shaped member 2 which does not have translucency.

In this step, microorganisms can be attached to the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 forming the space 1, and the culture solution can be supplied to the plate-like member 2 to which the microorganisms are attached to culture the microorganisms. When culturing with microorganisms attached to the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2, the plate-like member 2 preferably has a protrusion (not shown) having a height of 10 to 100 μm formed on at least one of the inner walls 2a. Alternatively, the plate-like member 2 may be formed with a recess or a hole that makes it easier for microorganisms to adhere.
By forming protrusions, recesses or holes on the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2, microorganisms are likely to adhere to the plate-like member 2 and are not easily removed during culture.

  In the method of the present invention, a carrier (not shown) having microorganisms attached thereto is disposed in a space 1 formed by using the plate-like member 2, and a culture solution is supplied into the space 1 and this carrier to culture the microorganisms. You can also. When culturing with microorganisms attached to the carrier, the carrier may be provided along any one of the inner walls 2a of the plate-like member 2 or provided in a state not in contact with the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2. May be. Alternatively, it may be sandwiched between the plate-like members 2.

  The carrier can be provided in each space 1 and is not particularly limited as long as it can attach microorganisms and can flow while supplying the culture broth inside. For example, cotton broad, Examples thereof include a thin film made of lint cloth or the like, or a sheet body made of a member having a void inside a porous thin plate or the like. More preferably, the carrier is permeable.

The shape of the carrier is not particularly limited, but it can be easily installed in one layer of space 1 if it is a sheet. If the total thickness is 2 mm or less, the number of carriers is not limited to one, and two or more carriers may be provided.
The plurality of plate-like members 2 forming the space 1 having one or more layers are preferably accommodated in a housing 3 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and fixed in the housing 3. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing 3 includes a plate-like flat plate 10 and a side plate 11, and forms an internal space in which the plate-like member 2 can be accommodated. The casing 3 is preferably made of a transparent material.

The plate-like member 2 can be arranged in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or inclined.
When the plate-like member 2 is arranged vertically or inclined, the culture solution is supplied from the upper end to the lower end of the plate-like member 2 and the culture solution is caused to flow down in the vertical direction.
When the plate-like member 2 is arranged in the vertical direction or inclined, the space 1 formed by the plate-like member 2 may be in a state where the upper end, the lower end, and the left and right ends are open, As shown in FIG. 2, it may be accommodated in the housing 3 or the like and sealed. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the side plate 11 of the housing 3 that accommodates the plate-like member 2 may block between the plate-like members 2 and 2, or FIG. ), A gap may be provided between the side end portions of the plate-like members 2 and 2. When the side ends of the plate-like members 2 and 2 are closed, the housing 3 and each plate-like member 2 constitute a tubular member.

  When the plate-like member 2 is arranged in the horizontal direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the plate-like member 2 is placed in a closed casing 3 except for the supply unit 4 and the lead-out unit 5 that discharges the culture solution. It is good to circulate the culture solution efficiently by accommodating the circulation channel 7 and supplying the culture solution from the supply unit 4 of the housing 3 by the pump P or the like. In this case, the culture fluid can be sucked in the culture fluid outlet 5 of the housing 3 to further facilitate the flow of the culture fluid. The flow rate can also be controlled by spiraling the flow path.

  The culture solution is supplied so as to substantially fill the space 1. Therefore, the carrier in the case where the carrier is arranged between the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 or the plate-like member 2 to which microorganisms are attached is in a state equivalent to that arranged in the liquid phase during the supply of the culture solution. When the space 1 is filled with the culture solution, the culture solution is efficiently supplied to the microorganisms attached to the plate-like member 2 and / or the carrier, and the microorganisms are stably propagated.

In order to maintain the stable cell growth of microorganisms such as microalgae in space 1 and to provide the minimum moisture and / or nutrients necessary to facilitate gas (CO ₂ ) exchange, According, but for 0.5 m ² or more plate members 2 and / or carriers, initially 1000 mL / h / ^{m 2} or more, then the flow of culture solution at a flow rate of 5000 mL / h / m ² gradually increased It is necessary. For this reason, until the flow rate of the culture solution reaches 1500 mL / h / m ² , the outflow amount of microorganisms increases as the flow rate increases, but the increase in outflow amount slows down at 6000 mL / h / m ² or more. Preferably it is 1500 mL / h / m ² or more. The flow rate of the culture solution is a value measured at an arbitrary location on the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 or the surface of the carrier.

On the other hand, if the flow rate is too high, microorganisms such as algae are difficult to adhere to the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 and / or the carrier, the growth rate decreases, the nutrient solution phase becomes thick, and it becomes difficult to exchange CO _2. Or a problem that stress is applied to microorganisms such as algae due to physical stimulation.
The culture solution can be supplied continuously or intermittently. To supply continuously is to supply the culture solution without stopping until a desired amount of microorganisms is obtained.

The culture solution is not particularly limited as long as it is a diluted solution of a medium capable of increasing the concentration of microorganisms by culturing microorganisms by an ordinary method. Examples of the culture medium include CHU medium, JM medium, A general inorganic medium such as an MDM medium can be used. Furthermore, as the culture medium, dilute solutions of various media such as Gamborg B5 medium, BG11 medium, and HSM medium are preferable. In the inorganic medium, Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ .4H ₂ O, KNO ₃ , and NH ₄ Cl are used as nitrogen sources, and KH ₂ PO ₄ , MgSO ₄ .7H ₂ O, and FeSO ₄ .7H are used as other main nutrient components. ₂ O and the like are included. Moreover, you may add the antibiotics etc. which do not affect the growth of microorganisms to a culture medium. The pH of the medium is preferably 4-10. If possible, wastewater discharged from various industries may be used.

  In the method of the present invention, the culture solution preferably contains carbon dioxide gas. When the culture solution sufficiently contains carbon dioxide, it is not necessary to replenish carbon dioxide in the space 1 during the cultivation of microorganisms, and the apparatus can be simplified.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the culture solution is supplied from a supply unit 4 provided above or on one side of the space 1. A circulation channel 7 is connected to the supply unit 4 and may be supplied from a culture solution storage tank and a nutrient replenishment tank (not shown) connected via the circulation channel 7.

Supply capacity of the culture, it is desirable to flow down speed in the space 1 of the culture solution as it is capable of from 5mL / h / ^{m 2} or more to 6000mL / h / ^{m 2.} This fluctuation range corresponds to the growth of microorganisms. For example, in chlorella, it grows and divides into four, and in 16 hours each grows to the size before division. At the beginning of division, a small amount of nutrients is sufficient, but it is necessary to give enough during the growth period. Thereby, the microorganisms can be allowed to flow naturally together with the culture solution while always maintaining the growth by always filling the periphery of the microorganism with a fresh culture solution. In addition, when the surface layer of microorganisms adhering to the carrier is forcibly dropped by changing the flow rate of the culture solution or applying an impact such as vibration to the carrier, photosynthesis in the lower layer is active. Can grow and increase the amount recovered.

The culture of the microorganism in this step is preferably performed while irradiating with light.
The light irradiation unit is a member that irradiates light to the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 and / or the carrier (not shown), and includes, for example, a plate-like fluorescent lamp, organic EL, or LED as a light source. It is configured to irradiate light having a wavelength and light amount suitable for proliferation. The wavelength of the light irradiated by the light irradiation unit may be in the range of 380 to 780 nm. For microorganisms that can grow only with red light, the light irradiation unit should be able to irradiate only red light suitable for photosynthesis. Microorganisms such as chlorella can grow well only with red light. Further, the light irradiation by the light irradiation unit may be intermittent irradiation light of 100 to 10,000 Hz, instead of continuous irradiation. Furthermore, it is possible to install the culture system outdoors and use sunlight. It is also effective to introduce sunlight and combine it with artificial light while it is installed indoors.

In this step, microorganisms can be cultured while irradiating the plate-like member 2 having transparency of the space 1 with light. When all the plate-like members 2 forming the space 1 are plate-like members 2 having translucency, if light is irradiated from one side of the space 1, light reaches all layers, but for example, a two-layer space 1 is formed. When the central plate-like member 2 that does not have translucency, it is necessary to irradiate light from outside the two spaces 1.
When the plate-like member 2 having no translucency is used as the plate-like member 2 forming one of the outer sides of the two or more spaces 1, light irradiation from the outside of the plate-like member 2 having no translucency is unnecessary. It is.

(1-2) Step of pressurizing the space 1 and recovering microorganisms accumulated or staying in the space 1 In this step, the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 in the space 1 is supplied by supplying a culture solution or gas. Then, pressure is applied to the carrier, the microorganisms are peeled off from the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 and / or the carrier, precipitated in a culture solution in a prepared container such as a falling tank, and further placed below the container. Microorganisms are recovered by taking them into a harvesting container. By scraping off the surface layer of microorganisms fixed on the inner wall 2a of the plate-like member 2 and / or the carrier, photosynthesis in the lower layer can be activated and divisional proliferation can be started. By repeating the above operation, the cultured microorganisms are harvested while continuously culturing the microorganisms.

When pressurizing the interior space 1 by the supply of the culture solution, the flow rate of the culture early 1200mL / h / ^{m 2} or more preferably from the culture of the microorganism, 2000mL / h / ^{m 2} or more is more preferable.
When pressurizing the space 1 by supplying gas, the type of gas is not particularly limited, and a gas that does not affect the growth of microorganisms, such as air or halogen gas, can be used. The gas supply amount is preferably 0.1 m ³ / h or more.

(2) Step of recovering microorganisms from a part or all of the culture solution discharged from space 1 In the step of recovering the cultured microorganisms, the microorganisms are removed from the plate member by accelerating the flow of the culture solution using the culture solution. The microorganisms are peeled off from the inner wall 2a and / or the carrier 2 and settled in a culture solution in a prepared container 6 such as a falling tank and further taken into a harvesting container (not shown) prepared separately from the container 6. Recover.

For the implementation of this step, the falling tank 6 shown in FIG. 2 can be used.
The flow-down tank 6 is a reservoir for a culture solution containing microorganisms that have flowed out of the space 1, and can receive the culture solution flowing out of the space 1. The culture solution containing microorganisms flowing out from the space 1 is separated in the flow-down tank 6 into a precipitate containing microorganisms at a high concentration and a culture solution that is a supernatant containing almost no microorganisms.
The harvesting container is a container for storing a precipitate containing a high concentration of microorganisms separated in the falling tank 6.

(3) Step of supplying the culture solution after collecting the microorganisms into the space 1 again In the step of supplying the culture solution after collecting the microorganisms into the space 1 again, the culture separated in a container such as the falling tank 6 The liquid (supernatant liquid) is collected and supplied into the space 1 again.
When the culture solution containing microorganisms is re-supplied to the supply unit 4 shown in FIG. 2, supply of the culture solution from a culture solution storage tank (not shown) is appropriately adjusted, and necessary nutrients are supplied from a nutrient supply tank (not shown). It is appropriately supplied and supplied into the space 1 together with the culture solution.

In carrying out this step, a circulation channel 7 as shown in FIG. 2 can be used.
The circulation channel 7 is a tubular member that collects the culture solution (supernatant solution) separated in the flow-down tank 6 and supplies it again into the space 1. A pump P is provided on the circulation channel 7, and the collected culture solution can be pumped up. The pumped culture solution is supplied again into the space 1. The culture solution supplied again into the space 1 is the supernatant separated in the flow-down tank 6, but may contain microorganisms.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection part 8 which can be connected is provided in the circulation flow path 7, and when a connection is cancelled | released, one side of the connection part 8 can be connected with another piping, and a nutrient can be added suitably to a culture solution. It may be like this. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a configuration in which microorganisms cultured in the flow-down tank 6 can be discharged in the middle of the circulation channel 7 using a three-way valve is shown. May be provided so that microorganisms can be discharged directly from one of the disconnected ends.

  Microorganisms to be cultured in the culture system are not particularly limited. For example, microalgae such as chlorella (including phylogenetically separated parachlorella), Senedesmus, Botryococcus, Sticococcus, Nannochloris, desmodesmus, etc. More specifically, Chlorella kessleri, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella saccharophila, and other chlorella; Stichiococcus ampliformis belonging to the genus, N belonging to the genus Nannochloris nnochloris bacillaris; Desmodesmus subspicatus like belonging to Desumodesumusu genus. In addition, adherent diatoms, Pseudocollistis, cyanobacteria, and even small red and green algae are possible. This also includes genetically modified cyanobacteria and microalgae. It is also possible to cultivate oomycetes that do not perform photosynthesis, such as auranthiochytrium, using an organic waste liquid, using a culture system.

In the present invention, the microorganism to be cultured is preferably a photosynthetic microorganism. In this case, the culture system requires a light irradiation unit.
In addition, when cultivating a microorganism that can grow without performing photosynthesis using a culture system, the light irradiation unit may not be provided.

According to the microorganism culturing method of the present invention, the space 1 is 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less to form a thin strip or flat space so that the group density of microorganisms can be easily increased and filled with the culture solution. Therefore, there is an effect that the collection efficiency of microorganisms is improved by using the amount of collected light, the amount of carbon dioxide gas, and the amount of culture solution without waste. In addition, since the culture solution can be continuously supplied to the space 1, it is easier to control the flow rate of the culture solution than when the culture solution is allowed to flow naturally.
In addition, by using a microorganism culture apparatus that forms a closed channel as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the raw material can be used efficiently without scattering the culture solution outside the flow path and the microorganism culture region. It is possible to improve the culture efficiency of microorganisms.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Space 2 ... Plate-shaped member 2a ... Inner wall

Claims (11)

A single layer or multiple layers formed by using a plate-like member having two or more translucency, or a plate-like member having one or more translucency and one or more plate-like members having no translucency In the space, microorganisms are attached to the inner wall of the plate-like member forming the space and / or the carrier provided in the space, and the plate-like member to which the microorganism is attached and / or the microorganism is attached. Supplying the culture medium to the carrier and culturing the microorganism,
A method for continuously culturing microorganisms, wherein an interval between plate-like members forming the space is 1 to 2 mm.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to claim 1, wherein, in the step of culturing the microorganisms, the space is filled with a culture solution.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to claim 1 or 2, wherein light is irradiated from one or both sides of the plate-like member.   The method for continuous culture of microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the culture solution contains carbon dioxide gas.   The continuous culture method for microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plate member having translucency is carbon dioxide permeable.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the culture solution discharged from the space is supplied to the space again to culture the microorganism.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a step of collecting the microorganisms from a part or all of the culture solution discharged from the space.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a step of pressurizing the space and recovering microorganisms accumulated or staying in the space.   The said plate-shaped member is the continuous culture | cultivation method of the microorganisms as described in any one of Claims 1-8 arrange | positioned in the perpendicular direction, the horizontal direction, or inclining.   The method for continuously culturing microorganisms according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a protrusion having a height of 10 to 100 µm is formed on at least one of the inner walls of the plate-like member forming the space.   The method for continuously culturing a microorganism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the microorganism is a microalgae.

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