Production of Carrier Hydrogels for Microorganisms

In the treatment of wastewater, certain systems need to be established. One of these methods requires the creation of a carrier gel for microorganisms. This process can be considered as a bio-reactor on one hand. Gels composed of polymer structures have been subjected to detailed investigations for many applications. These include controlled release agents for drugs, biogel applications for joints and skin, carrier substances in biocatalysts, and as cooling agents.

From which substances are hydrogels obtained?

The substances required to create a hydrogel must have suitable viscosity and rheology modification capabilities. These are known as the following substances.

• Polyacrylamide
• Carbomer
• Agar
• Carrageenan
• Alginates
• Light-curing resins
• Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)

In the wastewater treatment sector, the production of carrier hydrogels for microorganisms is carried out with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA).

Hydrogels used for bioreactors and microorganisms must have a high capacity to retain microorganisms and other small particles.

The hydrogel we will describe below has the following properties;

• The resulting hydrogel has a surface with a complex network structure of fiber-like objects with a diameter between 0.1 μm and 50 μm.
• The Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) based hydrogel here has a shape resembling a circle with a spherical diameter of 1 to 10 mm.
• The hydrogel formed from Polyvinyl Alcohol can be acetylated.
• There is a bioreactor containing Polyvinyl Alcohol hydrogel.
• A purification device obtained using Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA).
• It is a substance obtained by removing a portion of the water within the hydrogel.

The production of carrier hydrogels for microorganisms involves the synthesis of hydrogel materials used for the transport, storage, or application of microorganisms. These hydrogels are polymers that are saturated with water, have a 3D network structure, and usually possess a gelatinous consistency. Incorporating microorganisms within carrier hydrogels preserves their viability while enabling their use in various applications.