Novel Biofilm reactor, and novel methods for assessing biofilms

摘要

A biofilm reactor is disclosed which is particularly useful in assessing the incidence and the growth of biofilms above, at, and below an air/liquid interface region. The biofilm reactor comprises at least one substrate 10 (for growing the biofilm), a vessel 52 having an internal cavity of sufficient size and dimensions to retain a quantity of liquid therein, such that at least part of the substrate may remain immersed within the liquid and any remaining parts of the substrate may be retained in a headspace above the top surface of the liquid but within the internal cavity of the vessel, and a suspending means for suspending the at least one substrate. The reactor preferably comprises a lid 71. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a novel method for assessing biofilms present upon a substrate at, and below an air/liquid interface region.