Introduction

When it comes to cell culture, selecting the right bioreactor is crucial for achieving high yields and consistent results. Two popular options are single-use and multi-use bioreactors. While both have their advantages and drawbacks, which one is the best fit for your lab? In this post, we compare single-use and multi-use bioreactors to help you make an informed decision.

Single-Use Bioreactors

Single-use bioreactors are truly disposable, meaning they are discarded after a single use. They come pre-sterilized and pre-assembled, making set-up and clean-up quick and easy. Single-use bioreactors also eliminate the need for cleaning and validation protocols, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

While single-use bioreactors are more expensive upfront than multi-use bioreactors, they offer several advantages that can make them cost-effective in the long run. These include:

• Lower initial capital investment
• Reduced facility and equipment maintenance costs
• Shorter turnaround times between batches, maximizing lab productivity

Single-use bioreactors are also great for producing niche products or for labs with limited resources, as they eliminate the need for a large facility and infrastructure to support long-term use.

Multi-Use Bioreactors

Multi-use bioreactors, as the name suggests, can be used multiple times with proper cleaning and sterilization protocols. This makes them a sustainable and cost-effective option for labs with high-volume production needs.

Multi-use bioreactors require more infrastructure and maintenance than single-use bioreactors, but their reusability means they are more economical in the long run. They are also the preferred choice for labs that need to produce large quantities of a product consistently.

Drawbacks of multi-use bioreactors include:

• Lengthy cleaning and validation protocols between batches
• Risk of cross-contamination
• Greater initial capital investment

Which One To Choose?

The decision to use single-use or multi-use bioreactors depends on the specific requirements of your lab. If you require flexibility and ease of use, single-use bioreactors may be the best choice. For high-volume production, multi-use bioreactors can be more cost-effective in the long run.

Conclusion

Single-use and multi-use bioreactors both have their advantages and drawbacks. Choosing the right option for your lab depends on your specific needs and production goals. By weighing the benefits and limitations outlined in this post, you can make an informed decision about which bioreactor to use.

References

1. Kromminga, A., Pörtner, R. and Eibl, D. (2019). “Single-use technology in biopharmaceutical manufacture.” Engineering in Life Sciences, 19(8), pp. 459-468.
2. Mahajan, R., Singh, V. and Narula, G. (2014). “Performance of single-use bioreactor: A review.” Critical Reviews in Microbiology, 41(2), pp. 168-176.
3. Rohani, R. and McLoughlin, D. (2016). "Single-use versus conventional bioreactor technology in bioprocessing production." Biochemical Engineering Journal, 109, pp. 142-146.