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Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613780241809408 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Bowles, Brian Keith |
| author2 | Wolfaardt, Gideon M. |
| author_browse | Bowles, Brian Keith Wolfaardt, Gideon M. |
| author_facet | Wolfaardt, Gideon M. Bowles, Brian Keith |
| author_sort | Bowles, Brian Keith |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
|
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132084 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:35.119Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132084 Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation Bowles, Brian Keith Wolfaardt, Gideon M. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Microbiology. Biofilms -- Growth In situ bioremediation -- Evaluation Environmental monitoring -- Data processing Bioremediation Microbial biotechnology Water -- Purification UCTD Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Bowles, B. K. 2025. Development and Evaluation of an IoT Biofilm Monitoring System for the Continuous Production of Cells for Bioremediation. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/1f2b943d-a0e7-421d-91f2-753a49349213 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The application of microbial cultures for in situ bioremediation is an established field offering advantages such as low cost, minimal equipment requirements and increased accessibility. However, it presents some limitations such as the need for these cultures to be transported and stored for prolonged periods, leading to loss of viability and long lag times when transitioning to active growth upon introduction in situ. A further limitation arises upon the infrequent addition of these cultures to the polluted environment, resulting in a return to its contaminated state if insufficient restoration was achieved, thus requiring repeat purchase and application of these cultures. The advantages that microorganisms derive from growing as biofilms, such as improved nutrient acquisition over their planktonic counterparts, and their constant release of metabolically active, planktonic cells are well documented. This study aimed to test the feasibility of cultivating bioremediation communities in biofilm reactors to serve as “cell factories” – with reactor design, acquisition of a cost-effective growth medium, and determination of nutrient feed rates to optimise biofilm-to-planktonic cell yield being the key objectives. The design and evaluation of a Cell Propagation System (CPS) to track biofilm growth proved successful in obtaining a steady delivery of 108-109 CFU/mL of bioremediating cells from the system and accurately tracking biofilm growth within the reactor. The growth kinetics of these biofilm-derived cells showed promise with lag times ranging from being shorter to similar to that of batch pre-cultures grown for 18 hours. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toepassing van mikrobiese kulture vir in situ bioremediëring is 'n gevestigde veld wat voordele bied soos lae koste, minimale toerustingvereistes en verhoogde toeganklikheid. Dit bied egter sekere beperkings, soos die behoefte dat kulture vir lang tydperke vervoer en gestoor moet word, wat lei tot verlies aan lewensvatbaarheid en lang vertragingstye wanneer oorgeskakel word na aktiewe groei by invoering in situ. 'n Verdere beperking ontstaan in die ongereelde toevoeging van hierdie kulture tot die besoedelde omgewing, wat lei tot 'n terugkeer na sy besmette toestand indien onvoldoende herstel bereik is, wat dus herhaalde aankoop en toepassing van die kulture vereis. Die voordele wat mikroörganismes uit die groei as biofilms kry, is verbeterde voedingstofverkryging bo hul planktoniese eweknieë, en hul konstante vrystelling van metabolies aktiewe, planktoniese selle is goed gedokumenteer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die haalbaarheid van die kweek van bioremediëring gemeenskappe in biofilm reaktore te toets om as "sel fabrieke" te dien – met reaktor ontwerp, ontwikkeling van 'n koste-effektiewe groei medium, en bepaling van voertempo's om biofilm- tot-plankton te optimaliseer selopbrengs was die sleuteldoelwitte. Die ontwerp en evaluering van 'n selvoortplantingstelsel om biofilmgroei na te spoor, was suksesvol in die verkryging van 'n bestendige lewering van 10⁸-10⁹ CFU/mL bioremediërende selle vanaf die stelsel en om biofilmgroei binne die reaktor akkuraat na te spoor. Groeikinetika van hierdie biofilm-afgeleide selle het belofte getoon met vertragingstye wat gewissel het van korter tot soortgelyk aan dié van bondelkulture wat vir 18 uur gekweek is. Masters 2025-05-22T13:27:03Z 2025-05-22T13:27:03Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132084 Stellenbosch University x, 79 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Biofilms -- Growth In situ bioremediation -- Evaluation Environmental monitoring -- Data processing Bioremediation Microbial biotechnology Water -- Purification UCTD Bowles, Brian Keith Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title | Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title_full | Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title_fullStr | Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title_short | Development and evaluation of an IoT biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| title_sort | development and evaluation of an iot biofilm monitoring system for the continuous production of cells for bioremediation |
| topic | Biofilms -- Growth In situ bioremediation -- Evaluation Environmental monitoring -- Data processing Bioremediation Microbial biotechnology Water -- Purification UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132084 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bowlesbriankeith developmentandevaluationofaniotbiofilmmonitoringsystemforthecontinuousproductionofcellsforbioremediation |