Laboratory Digital Biochemical Incubator I Biobase, USA

A Biochemical Incubator is a type of laboratory equipment used to maintain a controlled environment for the growth and incubation of biochemical substances, such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, or for conducting biochemical reactions. It provides a consistent temperature, humidity, and sometimes other factors like CO₂ levels, which are critical for the growth of biological cultures or the performance of certain biochemical experiments.

Application:

1. Temperature Control

• Range: Ensure that the incubator has a wide temperature range (typically from 5°C to 80°C) to simulate various environmental conditions.
• Stability: Consistent temperature control is important for maintaining microbial activity in wastewater samples. Fluctuations could disrupt metabolic rates of microbes used for treatment.
• Programmability: Advanced incubators can be programmed for specific temperature cycles, useful for mimicking real-world environmental changes.

2. Aeration & Gas Control

• Oxygen Levels: Aerobic processes are critical for breaking down organic matter, so you may need an incubator that controls oxygen supply or integrates aeration systems to provide continuous oxygen to cultures.
• Anaerobic Conditions: For anaerobic digestion studies, the incubator should support an oxygen-free environment, often with the ability to control CO₂ or nitrogen gas concentrations.

3. Humidity Control

• Humidity Levels: Some biochemistry processes are sensitive to humidity. Incubators with humidity control features are ideal for keeping the environment suitable for microbial growth.

4. Agitation and Shaking

• Shaker Functionality: Incubators with shaking platforms can be useful for keeping wastewater samples and microbes in suspension, promoting uniform mixing and enhanced biological treatment processes.
• Orbital vs. Reciprocating Shakers: Choose based on the type of microbial or enzymatic processes you aim to study. Orbital shaking often works well for promoting oxygen transfer in aerobic treatments.

5. Volume Capacity

• Scalability: Depending on the research or treatment scale, you may need incubators with larger volumes or multiple chambers to accommodate a range of sample sizes.
• Multiple Chambers: Some incubators come with separate chambers for parallel experiments under different conditions.

6. Sterility and Contamination Prevention

• UV Sterilization: To minimize cross-contamination, incubators with built-in UV sterilization or antimicrobial surfaces are beneficial, especially when working with diverse microbial cultures.
• Filtration: An air filtration system (e.g., HEPA filters) helps maintain a sterile environment, reducing the risk of contamination.

7. Monitoring and Data Logging

• Real-Time Monitoring: Incubators with integrated sensors for monitoring pH, oxygen, and CO₂ levels can provide real-time data, which is crucial for wastewater treatment research.
• Data Logging: Ensure the incubator can log environmental data over time, which is essential for tracking long-term experiments.

8. Corrosion Resistance

• Materials: Wastewater contains corrosive compounds. Incubators made with corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., stainless steel interiors) are better suited for long-term use.

9. Special Features for Wastewater Applications

• Biofilm Incubation: Some wastewater treatment processes, such as biofilm formation, might require specialized incubators with features to support biofilm growth on various surfaces.
• Bioreactors Compatibility: If the treatment involves bioreactors, the incubator should be compatible with reactor vessels or integrate with continuous flow systems.

Top Recommended Models for Wastewater Treatment Applications:

• Memmert IPP Peltier-Cooled Incubators: For precise temperature control with low energy consumption.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Heratherm: Known for its reliability and precise environmental control.
• New Brunswick S41i: A shaker incubator with advanced oxygen control, ideal for aerobic wastewater treatment processes.