MimiCol

The MimiCol is a dynamic colonic bioreactor simulating the physiological conditions in the ascending colon of humans. The reactor vessel has a volume capacity of 150 mL and is placed in a waterbath, which keeps the temperature at 37 °C. Headspace gassing with N2 ensures an anaerobic atmosphere inside the reactor. Colon motility is simulated by a stepper motor with two perpendicular blades doing a reciprocating movement (6 rpm). Temperature, pH, and redox potential are measured with different electrodes. The pH-changes inside the colon occur as there is fresh content coming from the small intestine. That is why drifting of pH is tolerated especially after change of medium, up to 6.2 ± 0.25 and not kept at a constant level by supply of NaOH and HCl. After inoculation with a standard microbiota (1.5 x 1010 CFU) bacteria are kept in the phase of exponential growth by changing the culture medium every 2 h.

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Technical data:

• Volume capacity 150 mL

• Temperature control (external)

• Headspace gassing with N2

• Agitation: reciprocating movement (stepper)

• measurement of pH, temperature and redox potential

• pH control

• Inoculation with about 1.5 × 1010 CFU
  (standard microbiota)

• Manual media change and sampling
   

The MimiCol is used for in vitro experiments on drug
metabolization as well as for biorelevant dissolution
testing (e.g. colon targeting).​