The growth of microorganisms in biofilms plays a crucial role in the efficient biotechnological production of various substances. To enhance productivity, a well-structured design of biofilm reactors using porous substrates is essential. A fundamental requirement for such optimization is a detailed understanding of microbial growth kinetics and metabolic processes within the biofilm.

The project focuses on the bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii for the production of alginate. The goal is to develop a structural concept for biofilm reactors and to establish a validated kinetic model based on experimental investigations that supports simulation-based process optimization.