ABSTRACT
This chapter describes in detail the basic make up and variations in construction of continuous cultures that the researcher can use. All continuous cultures comprise three basic units: a growth medium reservoir, where the sterilized medium is stored before being delivered to, the culture vessel or reactor, where the cells metabolize the nutrients. Product or substrate controlled continuous cultures are like turbidostats in that the cells grown in them are under internal control, since the rate of flow of fresh medium is controlled by the utilization of certain substrates or production of some products of metabolism. The size of the vessel is defined by the size of the culture vessel, the desired maximum dilution rate, the size of available autoclaves, and the operator’s desire to be a medium preparation technician. The culture vessel should also be equipped with ports at the top or side to take a sampling device.
