Plankton Culture System PLR/PR Series

Overview

The PLR/PR Series Plankton Culture System is a modular, wall-mounted laboratory apparatus engineered for controlled, reproducible cultivation of microalgae and zooplankton under defined environmental conditions. Designed in accordance with standard aquatic microbiology and aquaculture research protocols, the system operates on continuous-flow or semi-batch culture principles, enabling precise regulation of light (PLR only), gas exchange (via regulated air or CO₂ sparging), nutrient delivery, and temperature stability through ambient lab control. The cylindrical photobioreactor geometry—80 mm internal diameter × 800 mm length—provides optimal surface-area-to-volume ratio for photon capture and mass transfer, supporting high-density growth of both freshwater and marine phytoplankton (e.g., Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica) and zooplankton (e.g., Brachionus plicatilis, Artemia franciscana). Its 2.5 L working volume balances scalability with sterility management and experimental tractability.

Key Features

• Modular dual-platform design: PLR variant integrates an 18 W fluorescent illumination unit optimized for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) output; PR variant omits lighting for heterotrophic or light-independent zooplankton culture.
• Robust acrylic tubular reactor (ID 80 mm, L 800 mm) with chemical resistance to common algal media (e.g., f/2, Walne, ASP-2) and disinfectants (e.g., sodium hypochlorite, ethanol).
• Integrated 6 mm pneumatic interface compatible with standard aquarium-grade air pumps and mass-flow controllers for O₂/CO₂ blending and bubble-column aeration.
• Wall-mountable architecture with stainless steel wall bracket and adjustable clamping system—minimizes footprint and enhances vibration isolation during long-term incubation.
• Gas-permeable silicone tubing connections and sterile filtration ports (0.22 µm) support closed-system operation compliant with GLP-aligned microbial culture practices.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PLR/PR system supports cultivation of eukaryotic and prokaryotic planktonic organisms across salinities from 0–40 ppt, accommodating ISO 10260:2021 (microalgal culture maintenance) and ASTM D5259-22 (aquatic toxicology test organism propagation) requirements. It enables preparation of standardized inocula for ecotoxicity assays (OECD 201, ISO 8692), biofloc development studies, and feedstock production for larviculture. All wetted materials meet USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. The system does not include integrated temperature control; users must maintain ambient lab temperature within 18–25°C per ISO 8692 Annex A recommendations for reliable growth kinetics.

Software & Data Management

The PLR/PR is a hardware-only platform without embedded firmware or digital control interfaces. Operation relies on external instrumentation—including calibrated pH/conductivity meters, dissolved oxygen probes, and spectrophotometers—for routine monitoring of culture health (e.g., OD₇₅₀, chlorophyll-a fluorescence). Data logging follows laboratory-defined SOPs. When deployed in regulated environments (e.g., GLP-compliant ecotoxicology labs), manual logbooks or validated LIMS entries satisfy 21 CFR Part 11 audit-trail requirements for culture passage records, feeding schedules, and harvest timestamps.

Applications

• Standardized production of axenic or gnotobiotic phytoplankton cultures for marine hatchery feed applications.
• Controlled zooplankton biomass expansion for live-feed enrichment (e.g., fatty acid profiling via GC-FID post-harvest).
• Physiological response studies under variable light regimes (PLR), nutrient limitation, or CO₂ enrichment scenarios.
• Method validation for ISO 11348 (luminescent bacteria toxicity) and ISO 8692 (algae growth inhibition) test systems.
• Educational use in university aquatic ecology and biotechnology laboratories for hands-on photobioreactor operation training.

FAQ

Is temperature control built into the PLR/PR system?
No. The system requires external ambient temperature stabilization between 18–25°C to ensure reproducible growth rates.
Can the PLR be used for cyanobacteria cultivation?
Yes—provided appropriate light intensity and spectral quality are maintained; however, UV-sensitive strains may require supplemental shielding due to standard fluorescent emission profile.
What sterilization methods are recommended for reactor cleaning?
Autoclaving is not supported. Recommended protocols include 10% sodium hypochlorite soak (30 min), followed by thorough deionized water rinse and 70% ethanol wipe; validated steam sterilization of accessories (e.g., tubing, connectors) is permissible.
Does the system comply with FDA or EU GMP requirements?
The PLR/PR meets material and design criteria for use in GMP-adjacent research environments but is not certified as GMP manufacturing equipment; qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) must be performed per site-specific validation protocols.
Are replacement lamps and tubing available as spare parts?
Yes—original-specification 18 W T5 fluorescent tubes (PLR only) and food-grade silicone tubing (6 mm ID) are stocked by authorized distributors under part numbers PLR-LAMP-T5-18W and PR-TUB-SIL-6MM.