FUNDAMIX® System for Tetanus Vaccine Production

Anaerobic tetanus fermentation needs strong liquid transport to remove gases, yet the bacterial cultures are sensitive to shear and turbulence. During fermentation, the bacteria release hydrogen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds. If these accumulate, they disturb redox balance and pH and inhibit growth. This application paper explains how the FUNDAMIX® Vibro-Mixer resolves the conflict between gas removal and gentle agitation. The oscillating mixing plate creates an intensive vertical flow that carries broth from the reactor bottom to the surface, where gases escape, and returns it along the vessel walls. Computational fluid dynamics images show the resulting axial velocity profile in two vessel configurations. The paper describes gas removal without vortex formation, mixing intensity adjustable to the culture, and the hygienic design required in vaccine production, including cGMP and EHEDG principles and full CIP/SIP compatibility. Examples range from laboratory to production scale.