Cultivation device, culture unit, and method for producing cultured object

Abstract

To provide a culture device or the like that can increase the amount of the light to reach a culture body.SOLUTION: A culture device includes a culture body that allows a culture solution including a culture subject to flow and cultures the culture subject, a cover body that covers the outside of the culture body, and a reflection body that is provided at the cover body and reflects light toward the culture body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a culture device, a culture unit, and a method for producing a culture object. [Background technology]

[0002] As a measure against global warming, industries in every country are being urged to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. Microalgae such as chlorella and photosynthetic bacteria are seen as very promising resources that can produce energy without emitting carbon dioxide and as other industrially usable resources, and expectations are high for their commercial use and efficient production.

[0003] In order to utilize microalgae such as chlorella as an energy resource or for other industrial purposes, it is necessary to produce them at the lowest possible cost, but mass cultivation of microalgae in water requires large pools or tanks, which poses problems such as increased costs due to the need for land acquisition and the expansion of facilities.

[0004] To address these issues and improve production per unit area, a culture system has been proposed in which a culture solution is allowed to flow down vertically arranged carriers, microalgae are grown on the carriers, and the microalgae are collected from the flowing culture solution (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-175964 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-153744 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, there is a demand for increasing the amount of light that reaches the culture medium. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a culture device or the like that can increase the amount of light that reaches a culture medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] With this objective in mind, the technology disclosed in this specification is a culture device comprising a culture medium through which a culture solution containing a culture object flows to culture the culture object, a cover that covers the outside of the culture medium, and a reflector that is attached to the cover and reflects light toward the culture medium. Here, the cover preferably includes a container in which the culture medium is placed, and a container that houses the container. It is also preferable to provide an irradiator that is provided inside the container and outside the container and that irradiates light onto the culture in the container. The reflector may be provided inside the container and outside the vessel, and may reflect light toward the culture in the vessel. Furthermore, the container has a cylindrical portion capable of accommodating the culture medium inside, the reflector is provided on a part of the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, and the irradiator is located outside the cylindrical portion, facing an area on the inner surface where the reflector is not provided, and irradiates light onto the culture medium inside the cylindrical portion through that area. The culture medium may be a hollow member that is long in one direction, and may have a gas supply body that is disposed inside the culture medium along the one direction and supplies gas toward the inner surface of the culture medium. The culture medium may be a tubular member having a plurality of pleats extending in one direction. It is also preferable to provide a culture medium supply body that is located inside the container and above the culture body, and that has a culture medium opening formed in a position opposite the upper end of the culture body to allow the culture medium to flow out. The apparatus may further comprise a support body on which the culture medium is suspended and which is driven to change its position relative to the culture medium, and the culture medium may be deformed as the support body changes its relative position.

[0008] From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is a culture unit including: a container that is detachably mounted on a culture device for culturing a culture object; a culture body that is mounted in the container and through which a culture solution containing the culture object flows to culture the culture object; a culture solution supply unit that supplies the culture solution toward the culture body within the container; a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the culture body within the container; and a reflector that is mounted on the container and reflects light toward the culture body. From another perspective, the technology disclosed in this specification is a method for producing a culture object using a culture unit including: a container that is detachably attached to a culture device that cultures the culture object; a culture body that is provided in the container and through which a culture solution containing the culture object flows to culture the culture object; a culture solution supply unit that supplies the culture solution toward the culture body within the container; a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the culture body within the container; and a reflector that is provided in the container and reflects light toward the culture body, the method comprising the steps of stopping the supply of the culture solution by the culture solution supply unit, removing the culture unit from the culture device, and recovering the culture object from the culture body in the culture unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the present invention can provide a culture device or the like that is capable of increasing the amount of light that reaches a culture medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a culture system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the culture section. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a carrier unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of each member that configures the carrier unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating measurement results. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the culture section in another embodiment 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the culture unit in another embodiment 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a carrier and other components in another embodiment 3. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for producing a microorganism according to another embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the microbial culture system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Culture System 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a culture system 1 according to this embodiment. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of a culture system 1 to which this embodiment is applied will be described.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, a culture system 1, which is an example of a culture device, has a culture unit 10 that cultures microorganisms, a culture solution circulation unit 70 that collects culture solution together with the microorganisms from the culture unit 10 and supplies the culture solution back to the culture unit 10, a gas supply unit 80 that supplies carbon dioxide gas to the culture unit 10, and a control unit 90 that controls each component.

[0013] Here, the culture medium circulation unit 70 has a culture medium container 71 that stores the culture medium. The culture medium circulation unit 70 also has a culture medium supply path 73 that connects the culture medium container 71 to the culture unit 10 and supplies the culture medium to the culture unit 10, and a culture medium recovery path 75 that connects the culture medium container 71 to the culture unit 10 and recovers the culture medium from the culture unit 10. Here, the culture medium container 71 recovers the microorganisms by separating them from the culture medium by filtration. The culture medium (filtrate) from which the microorganisms have been separated in the culture medium container 71 may be discarded or may be reused for culturing microorganisms via a pump (not shown) or the like.

[0014] The gas supply unit 80 has a gas cylinder 81 that compresses and stores carbon dioxide gas, and a gas supply path 83 that connects the gas cylinder 81 to the culture unit 10. The gas cylinder 81 supplies carbon dioxide gas to the culture unit 10 via the gas supply path 83.

[0015] The control unit 90 is configured by a computer or the like, and controls the components of the culture system 1. For example, the control unit 90 controls the irradiation conditions in the culture section 10, including the light intensity of an irradiation panel 15 (described later).

[0016] In the culture system 1, microorganisms are cultured in the culture unit 10. In the culture system 1, a culture solution circulator 70 circulates the culture solution containing the microorganisms. In the culture unit 10, light is irradiated onto the microorganisms and the culture solution, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the microorganisms and the culture solution by a gas supply unit 80. That is, the light energy and carbon dioxide gas necessary for the microorganisms to perform photosynthesis are supplied to the carrier unit 30.

[0017] In the following description, the up-down direction of the culture system 1 in Fig. 1 may be simply referred to as the up-down direction. Also, the width direction of the culture system 1 in Fig. 1 may be simply referred to as the width direction. Also, the direction intersecting the up-down direction and the width direction in the culture system 1 may be simply referred to as the depth direction.

[0018] <Cultivation target> Examples of culturing targets that can be cultured in the culture system 1 include green algae (Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, Haematococcus, Botryococcus, Dunaliella), Treboxia algae (Parachlorella), Prasinophytes, cyanobacteria (Spirulina, Arthrospira, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Nostoc), Haptophyte algae (Pleurochrysis), diatoms (Chaetoceros), Euglena, and phosphophyte algae (Nannochloropsis). Although they do not photosynthesize, gene disruption strains of phosphate transporters in Labyrinthula (Aurantiochytrium) and the cyanobacterium Synechocystis are also applicable.

[0019] In addition to the above-mentioned species, the culture targets that can be cultured in the culture system 1 include, for example, Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Pseudoanavenae, Limnothrix, Aphanotheceae, Aphanotheceae, Gardieria, Cyanidium, Cyanidioschyzon, Porphyra, Gracilaria, Pandorina, Sayagyiida, Ulva, Enteromorpha, Pseudococomyxa (Pseudochoricystis), Emiliania, Isochrysis, Gephyrocapsa, Pavlova, Thalassiosira, Nitzschia, Fitzlifera, cyanobacteria, glaucophytes, red algae, green algae, Treboxia, Prasinophytes, diatoms, haptophytes (coccolithophores), ophthalmos, dinoflagellates, brown algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. Mutant species of these, as well as mutants and genetically modified strains of photosynthetic microorganisms, may also be included.

[0020] Additionally, the microorganisms to be cultured in the culture system 1 are photosynthetic microorganisms, including photosynthetic microalgae. Photosynthetic microorganisms are microorganisms that perform photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, photosynthetic pigments receive light energy and become excited. This energy is then transferred to the reaction center chlorophyll (or bacterial chlorophyll in the case of photosynthetic bacteria). This energy splits water molecules, releasing electrons and generating oxygen, resulting in a series of oxidation-reduction reactions, known as the electron transport system. This electron transport system produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This energy and reducing power are used to drive the carbon dioxide fixation reaction, known as the Calvin-Benson cycle. This ultimately results in the synthesis of polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, and other substances, leading to cell proliferation and replication. Photosynthesis can be thought of as a "light reaction" directly involving light and a subsequent "dark reaction." However, multiple enzymes in the Calvin-Benson cycle are reduced and activated by light exposure.

[0021] Organisms that utilize light energy for life activities and are cultured in the culture system 1 include prokaryotic photosynthetic bacteria that do not generate oxygen, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that do generate oxygen, and eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are commonly known as algae, and primary symbionts that incorporate cyanobacteria into their cells include glaucophytes, red algae, green algae, treboxiaphytes, and prasinophytes. Secondary symbionts that incorporate these eukaryotic unicellular algae into their cells include diatoms, haptophytes, euglenids, ophthalmoids, dinoflagellates, raphidophytes, and chlorarachniophytes. While brown algae are known to be multicellular organisms, others include unicellular species. In addition, alkaliphilic and alkali-tolerant species that can be cultured in the culture system 1 include Spirulina, Arthrospira, Thermosynechococcus, Nostoc, Anabaena, Desmodesmus, Chlorella including Chlorella sorokiniana, and microalgae strains that can grow in alkaline conditions.

[0022] <Culture solution> The culture medium used in the culture system 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a diluted solution of a medium that can be used to culture microalgae by a known method and increase the concentration of microorganisms. Examples of suitable culture media include common inorganic media such as CHU medium, JM medium, and MDM medium. Furthermore, diluted solutions of Gamborg B5 medium, BG11 medium, and HSM medium are preferred. Inorganic media contain nitrogen sources such as Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, KNO3, and NH4Cl, and other major nutrients such as KH3PO4, MgSO4·7H2O, and FeSO4·7H2O. Antibiotics that do not affect the growth of microalgae may also be added to the medium. The pH of the medium is preferably 4 to 10. Industrial wastewater may also be used.

[0023] In addition, by adding sodium bicarbonate to the culture solution, the carbon dioxide concentration can be adjusted to a level suitable for the growth of microalgae. To explain further, by adding sodium bicarbonate to the culture solution, it is possible to configure the culture system 1 without providing a gas supply unit 80.

[0024] <Cultivation Department 10> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the culture section 10. As shown in FIG. Next, the schematic configuration of the culture section 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the culture section 10 includes an irradiation unit 20 and a carrier unit 30.

[0025] The irradiation unit 20 has an irradiation housing 11 and an irradiation panel 15 provided inside the irradiation housing 11. In the irradiation housing 11 of the illustrated example, a plurality of panels constituting the irradiation panel 15, i.e., a first irradiation panel 151 to a fourth irradiation panel 157, are provided inside the irradiation housing 11. Here, the material constituting the irradiation housing 11 is not particularly limited. It may be a material that transmits or does not transmit light irradiated from the irradiation panel 15. Furthermore, the irradiation housing 11 may be made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like.

[0026] 2(B), the first irradiation panel 151 to the fourth irradiation panel 157 are arranged to surround the carrier unit 30. More specifically, the first irradiation panel 151 to the fourth irradiation panel 157 constitute a set of a plurality of irradiation bodies facing each other with the carrier unit 30 in between, i.e., a set of the first irradiation panel 151 and the third irradiation panel 155 and a set of the second irradiation panel 153 and the fourth irradiation panel 157. By providing the first irradiation panel 151 to the fourth irradiation panel 157, which are a plurality of irradiation bodies, uneven irradiation in the carrier unit 30 is suppressed. More specifically, by surrounding the outer periphery of the carrier unit 30 with the first irradiation panel 151 to the fourth irradiation panel 157, uneven irradiation in the carrier unit 30 is suppressed.

[0027] 2(C), the first irradiation panel 151 has an irradiation plate 152 which is a plate-shaped member, and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 154 arranged at predetermined intervals on the plate surface of the irradiation plate 152. Here, a reflective layer (not shown) that reflects light from the LEDs 154 is formed on the plate surface of the irradiation plate 152 on which the LEDs 154 are provided. Although detailed description will be omitted, the second irradiation panel 153 to the fourth irradiation panel 157 are also configured to include the irradiation plate 152, the LEDs 154, and a reflective layer, similar to the first irradiation panel 151.

[0028] The irradiation housing 11 covers the outside of the carrier unit 30. A reflective layer 164 is provided on an upper inner surface 161 and a lower inner surface 163 of the irradiation housing 11. This allows the light irradiated by the irradiation panel 15 to travel toward the carrier 51 without dissipating outside the irradiation housing 11, thereby increasing the amount of light reaching the carrier 51. As a result, the amount of light absorbed by the microorganisms on the surface of the carrier 51 can be increased. In the illustrated example, the reflective layer 164 is provided on the upper inner surface 161 and the lower inner surface 163 of the irradiation housing 11, but the reflective layer 164 may be provided on any of the inner surfaces of the irradiation housing 11. In other words, the reflective layer 164 may be provided on a part or all of the inner surface of the irradiation housing 11. The illustrated irradiation housing 11 can be regarded as an encapsulating housing (encapsulating mechanism) that encapsulates the light irradiated by the LED 154.

[0029] <Carrier Unit 30> FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a carrier unit 30. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of each member constituting the carrier unit 30. As shown in FIG. Next, the carrier unit 30 will be outlined with reference to FIGS.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier unit 30 includes a carrier container 31, a carrier 51 provided inside the carrier container 31, a culture medium supply section 61 provided inside the carrier container 31 and above the carrier 51, and a gas supply section 65 provided inside the carrier 51.

[0031] The carrier container 31 has a substantially cylindrical container body 311, a first small diameter portion 313 provided on the upper side of the container body 311, a first flange portion 315 provided on the upper side of the first small diameter portion 313, a second small diameter portion 317 provided on the lower side of the container body 311, and a second flange portion 319 provided at the lower end of the second small diameter portion 317. Here, the container body 311 is made of a material that transmits light irradiated from the irradiation panel 15. The container body 311 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, or PET. Note that portions of the carrier container 31 other than the container body 311 (e.g., the first small diameter portion 313) may be made of a material that transmits or does not transmit light irradiated from the irradiation panel 15.

[0032] Here, a configuration in which the carrier 51 is provided inside the carrier container 31 suppresses bacteria from adhering to the carrier 51 compared to a configuration in which only the carrier 51 is provided. Furthermore, by providing the carrier 51 inside the carrier container 31, evaporation of the culture solution can be suppressed. Furthermore, by providing the carrier 51 inside the carrier container 31, control of the concentration of carbon dioxide gas supplied to the culture solution can be facilitated. Furthermore, by providing the carrier 51 inside the carrier container 31, control of the temperature of the carrier 51 can be facilitated. The carrier container 31 has an opening mechanism 318 that is part of the container body 311 and that can open the lower side of the container body 311 in the vertical direction. By providing the opening mechanism 318, the carrier 51 inside the carrier container 31 can be removed. Note that the opening mechanism 318 shown in the figure is a so-called screw-in type, but the method of fixing the opening mechanism 318 is not particularly limited.

[0033] The first flange 315 is connectable to a supply-side flange 731 provided on the culture medium supply channel 73. The second flange 319 is connectable to a recovery-side flange 751 provided on the culture medium recovery channel 75. The first flange 315 and the supply-side flange 731, and the second flange 319 and the recovery-side flange 751 are fixed to each other using well-known fixing methods such as levers or bolts. The first flange 315, the second flange 319, the supply-side flange 731, and the recovery-side flange 751 can be regarded as a detachable mechanism for detachably installing the carrier unit 30 on the irradiation unit 20. As the detachable mechanism, a well-known mechanism such as a so-called screw-in or snap-in type joint can be used.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4(A), the carrier 51 is a cloth-like material. The shape of the carrier 51 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb light irradiated from outside the carrier unit 30. In the illustrated example, the carrier 51 has a hollow shape that is long in one direction. More specifically, the carrier 51 has a cylindrical shape formed by folding a cloth-like material. That is, the carrier 51 is a tubular member with multiple pleats. The illustrated carrier 51 has multiple first folds 511 located on the outside of the cylindrical carrier 51 and multiple second folds 513 located on the inside of the carrier 51. The illustrated carrier 51 can also be considered to have an internal space having portions that extend radially from a center 510 of the carrier 51. Additionally, by providing the first folds 511 and the second folds 513 on the carrier 51, the surface area of ​​the carrier 51 can be maximized within a limited space. That is, the culture area on the carrier 51 can be secured. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the contact time between the cells to be cultured, the culture solution, and the gas on the surface of the carrier 51.

[0035] Here, the carrier 51 shown in the figure has a fixing portion 515 sewn near the first folded portion 511. This fixing portion 515 maintains the shape of the carrier 51. For simplification, the fixing portion 515 is omitted from the drawings other than FIG. 4(A).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the culture medium supply unit 61 is a substantially disk-shaped member made of, for example, resin. The culture medium supply unit 61 has an upper plate surface 611, which is a plate surface located on the upper side, and a lower plate surface 613, which is a plate surface located on the lower side. The culture medium supply unit 61 also has a connecting member 671 provided on the lower plate surface 613. The connecting member 671 is made of, for example, resin, and holds the upper end 517 of the carrier 51. The carrier 51 is installed in a suspended state by the connecting member 671. More specifically, the connecting member 671 holds the carrier 51 in a detachable manner.

[0037] The culture medium supply section 61 has a plurality of through-holes 615 that penetrate the section in the thickness direction and allow the culture medium to pass through. More specifically, the through-holes 615 are formed at positions corresponding to the upper ends 517 of the carriers 51. That is, the through-holes 615 are formed at positions facing the upper ends 517 of the carriers 51. This allows the culture medium supplied from the culture medium supply channel 73 (see arrow D11 in FIG. 4(C)) to pass through the through-holes 615 (see arrow D13 in FIG. 4(C)) and be more reliably supplied to the carriers 51. The culture medium supplied to the carriers 51 then flows down along the carriers 51 (see arrow D15 in FIG. 3). Additionally, by forming the through-holes 615 at positions facing the upper ends 517 of the carriers 51, the amount of culture medium that passes through without being supplied to the carriers 51 is reduced.

[0038] 4(C), the gas supply unit 65 is a substantially cylindrical member with both ends closed. The gas supply unit 65 has a plurality of gas openings 651 formed on its outer circumferential surface. When the gas supply path 83 is connected to the gas supply unit 65, carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the inside of the gas supply unit 65 (see arrow D21). The carbon dioxide gas supplied to the inside of the gas supply unit 65 is then sprayed onto the carrier 51 through the gas openings 651 (see arrow D23).

[0039] The gas supply unit 65 is connected to a lower plate surface 613 of the culture solution supply unit 61. The gas supply unit 65 is provided concentrically with the carrier 51 inside the cylindrical carrier 51. More specifically, the gas supply unit 65 sprays carbon dioxide gas from inside the carrier 51, thereby enabling the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied in a direction intersecting the culture solution (see arrow D15) flowing down the carrier 51 (see arrow D23). The gas supply unit 65 is disposed at the center 510 of the carrier 51, enabling the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied toward the first fold 511 (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0040] <Measurement results> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the measurement results. Next, the measurement results will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0041] First, the comparative culture unit 190 used for comparison in this measurement will be described with reference to Fig. 5(A). The comparative culture unit 190 includes a carrier 191, a frame 193 that supports the carrier 191, a culture medium supply unit 195 that supplies the culture medium toward the carrier 191, a culture medium circulation unit 197 that circulates the culture medium, and an irradiator 198 that irradiates the carrier 191 with light.

[0042] Here, the irradiators 198 are flat LED panels. A pair of the irradiators 198, which are LED panels, are provided at positions facing each other with the carrier 191 in between. Each irradiator 198 irradiates light from the front of the carrier 195. The carrier 195 used in this measurement is a cotton cloth member measuring 60 cm in width and 120 cm in length. The carrier 195 is folded in half at the center in the longitudinal direction and hung on the frame 191.

[0043] On the other hand, the carrier 51 used in Measurement 1, which is a measurement example of this embodiment, is a cloth-like member made of cotton and polypropylene resin, with dimensions of 30 cm wide and 60 cm long. The carrier 51 is arranged in a substantially cylindrical shape with pleats formed on the side as shown in FIG. 3(A), and is installed inside a transparent, substantially cylindrical container body 311 with an outer diameter of 5 cm. In other words, the carrier unit 30 is configured as a cylindrical cloth cassette.

[0044] Figure 5(B) shows the results of a comparison and Measurement 1 obtained after 4 days of culture. Measurement 1 of these measurement results confirmed that the amount of microbial production (productivity) per unit of electricity was improved. In other words, it was confirmed that the culture unit 10 can reduce power consumption.

[0045] In general, a large proportion of the energy used in a microbial culture device is required for light irradiation. For example, in the comparative culture unit 190 shown in FIG. 5(A), a portion of the light irradiated by the irradiator 198 is diffusely reflected by the surface of the cloth and may dissipate outside the device without being absorbed by the microorganisms (cells). On the other hand, in the culture unit 10, the diffusely reflected light can be prevented from dissipating outside the device. In the culture unit 10, the irradiated light can be efficiently delivered to the cells, thereby improving production capacity per unit of power consumption.

[0046] <Other embodiments> Next, another embodiment different from the above embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0047] <Another embodiment 1> FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the culture section 101 in another embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] In the above description, the carrier unit 30 is provided inside the irradiation housing 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(A), the culture section 101 has a carrier container 1031, which is a substantially cylindrical member, and an irradiation unit 1015 provided on the outer periphery of the carrier container 1031. The outer periphery of this carrier container 1031 is not covered by the irradiation housing 11 (see FIG. 3). In addition, the carrier container 1031 is made of a resin or the like that is capable of transmitting light irradiated from the irradiation unit 1015.

[0049] 6(B), a reflective layer 1035 is formed on a part of the inner side surface 1033 of the carrier container 1031. Here, the region of the inner side surface 1033 where the reflective layer 1035 is not provided functions as a transmissive region 1037. In the illustrated example, the transmissive region 1037 is a substantially rectangular region extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a plurality of the transmissive regions 1037 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the carrier container 1031. Further, an irradiation unit 1015 is disposed at a position facing each of the transmissive regions 1037. Furthermore, each of the irradiation units 1015 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in the vertical direction.

[0050] The irradiation unit 1015 irradiates light toward the carrier 51 disposed inside the carrier container 1031 through the transmission region 1037 (see arrow D31). The reflective layer 1035 also reflects light reflected by the carrier 51 or light not traveling directly from the irradiation unit 1015 toward the carrier 51 (see arrow D33). This can improve the irradiation efficiency of the carrier 51. Note that, in the illustrated example, the reflective layer 1035 is provided on the inner side surface 1033 of the carrier container 1031, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration as long as the reflective layer 1035 is provided on the carrier container 1031. For example, the reflective layer 1035 may be provided on the outer side surface of the carrier container 1031.

[0051] <Another embodiment 2> FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the culture unit in another embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. Next, another embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] In another embodiment 2 shown in Figure 7, the culture medium supply unit 2041 is provided so as to be movable inside the carrier container 31 upon being driven by a drive source (not shown), thereby making it possible to recover more microorganisms from the carrier 51.

[0053] In the culture unit 201 shown in Fig. 7(A), the culture medium supply unit 2041 moves up and down inside the carrier container 31. To explain further, as shown in Fig. 7(A-1), during the period when the microorganisms are cultured, the culture medium supply unit 2041 is placed at a predetermined position. At this time, the carrier 51 connected to the culture medium supply unit 2041 is placed in a suspended state.

[0054] 7(A-2), the culture medium supply unit 2041 is lowered at predetermined times (for example, every four days) when the microorganisms are collected. This causes the carrier 51 to deform. More specifically, the carrier 51 is compressed (folded). This deformation of the carrier 51 allows the microorganisms attached to the carrier 51 to flow out.

[0055] In addition, in the culture unit 301 shown in Fig. 7(B), the culture medium supply unit 3041 rotates inside the carrier container 31. To explain further, as shown in Fig. 7(B-1), during the period in which the microorganisms are cultured, the carrier 51 is arranged in a suspended state.

[0056] 7(B-2), the culture medium supply unit 2041 rotates at predetermined intervals. This causes the carrier 51 to deform. More specifically, the carrier 51 is twisted. This deformation of the carrier 51 allows the microorganisms attached to the carrier 51 to flow out.

[0057] Although not shown, a gas supply unit 65 (see FIG. 3) may be provided inside the culture unit 201 shown in FIG. 7(A) and the culture unit 301 shown in FIG. 7(B). In an embodiment in which the gas supply unit 65 is provided in the culture unit 201 shown in FIG. 7(A), the gas supply unit 65 may be formed, for example, of an elastic member that is deformable in accordance with the movement of the culture solution supply unit 2041. In another embodiment in which the gas supply unit 65 is provided in the culture unit 201 shown in FIG. 7(A), the gas supply unit 65 may be provided outside the operating area of ​​the culture solution supply unit 2041, such as only on the lower side in the vertical direction within the culture unit 201, as opposed to FIG. 3.

[0058] <Another embodiment 3> FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the carrier 451 and other components in another embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. Next, another embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the above example, the carrier 51 is described as a cloth-like member, that is, a member having a deformable pleated portion, but is not limited to this.

[0059] For example, as in the culture section 401 shown in FIG. 8(A), a plurality of spherical carriers 4051 may be provided inside the carrier container 31. The shape of the carrier 4051 may be a polygon, an ellipsoid, or the like, and is not particularly limited. The carrier 4051 may be made of a material having an uneven surface, such as fabric. The carrier 4051 may also be configured by providing a separate member on the outer periphery of a spherical member. In addition, by configuring the carrier 4051 with a plurality of independent members, such as spherical members, the surface area of ​​the carrier 4051 can be maximized within a limited space. In other words, the culture area in the culture section 401 can be secured. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the contact time between the cells to be cultured, the culture solution, and the gas on the surface of the carrier 4051.

[0060] Furthermore, as in the culture section 501 shown in FIG. 8(B), the carrier 5051 may be formed as a so-called porous body having a plurality of voids formed therein. In the carrier 5051 of the illustrated example, a carrier opening 5053 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed. The formation of the carrier opening 5053 can further promote the supply of carbon dioxide gas. In addition, by forming the carrier 5051 from a porous body, the surface area of ​​the carrier 5051 can be maximized within a limited space. In other words, the culture area on the carrier 5051 can be secured. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the contact time between the cells to be cultured, the culture solution, and the gas on the surface layer of the carrier 5051.

[0061] <Another embodiment 4> FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for producing a microorganism according to the fourth alternative embodiment. Next, a method for producing a microorganism carried out in Alternative Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] In the above description, the microorganisms are collected by filtering them from the culture solution contained in the culture solution circulation unit 70, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cultured microorganisms may adhere to the carriers 51. Therefore, the culture unit 30 may be removed from the irradiation unit 20 after stopping the circulation of the culture solution by the circulation pump (not shown) of the culture solution circulation unit 70. The carriers 51 may then be removed from the culture unit 30, and the adhered microorganisms may be collected by, for example, shaking the carriers 51 in the culture solution. This embodiment of collecting microorganisms by removing the carriers 51 may be performed in other embodiments, such as the culture unit 101 shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the embodiment of collecting microorganisms by removing the carriers 51 may be performed instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned collection by filtration.

[0063] Here, a method for removing the culture unit 30 and recovering the microorganisms, that is, a method for producing the microorganisms, will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the culture section 10, the irradiation panel 15 irradiates light onto the carrier 51 in the culture unit 30 (S901). At this time, the culture solution is supplied to the culture section 10 by the culture solution circulator 70, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied by the gas supply section 80. Accordingly, the microorganisms contained in the culture solution are cultured.

[0064] Next, the control unit 90 determines whether it is time to harvest the microorganisms (S902). If it is time to harvest the microorganisms (YES in S902), the circulation of the culture solution by the culture solution circulator 70 is stopped (S903). At this time, the supply of carbon dioxide gas by the gas supply unit 80 is also stopped.

[0065] Next, the microorganisms are harvested by filtering the culture solution in the culture solution container 71 (S904). The culture unit 30 is removed from the irradiation unit 20 (S905). Then, the carrier 51 of the removed culture unit 30 is shaken in the culture solution, for example, to harvest the microorganisms (S906).

[0066] On the other hand, if it is not time to harvest the microorganisms (NO in 903), the culture medium circulation unit 70 continues to send the microorganisms and culture medium to the culture unit 10, and the state in which the microorganisms and culture medium are circulated is maintained (S907).

[0067] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the irradiation panel 15 is described as irradiating light onto the support unit 30, but the configuration is not particularly limited as long as light is irradiated onto the support unit 30. For example, the support unit 30 may be configured to receive sunlight and may not include the irradiation panel 15. Alternatively, the support unit 30 may be configured to receive sunlight and may further include the irradiation panel 15.

[0068] In the above description, the culture unit 30 is described as being detachable from the irradiation unit 20, but the configuration is not particularly limited as long as the carrier 51 can be detached from the irradiation unit 20. For example, an opening mechanism such as a window (not shown) that allows the interior of the carrier container 31 to be opened may be provided in the carrier container 31. The carrier 51 may be removed from the interior of the carrier container 31 attached to the irradiation unit 20 by using this opening mechanism.

[0069] In the above description, the carrier container 31 is described as being cylindrical, but the shape is not particularly limited as long as it is a hollow member. For example, the carrier container 31 may have an outer shape of a polygon including a quadrangular prism. In the above description, the carrier container 31 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is aligned in the vertical direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the carrier container 31 may be arranged such that its longitudinal direction is inclined or aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0070] The above-described culture system 1 can also be applied to hydroponic cultivation. Therefore, the culture target in the culture system 1 includes higher cells such as leafy vegetables.

[0071] Although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, it is of course possible to combine these embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0072] The carrier 51 is an example of a culture medium. The irradiation housing 11 and the carrier container 31 are an example of a covering body. The reflective layer 164 and the reflective layer 1035 are an example of a reflector and a reflecting section. The culture system 1 is an example of a culture device. The irradiation housing 11 is an example of a housing body. The carrier container 31 is an example of a container. The irradiation panel 15 is an example of an irradiating body. The container body 311 is an example of a cylindrical section. The gas supply section 65 is an example of a gas supply body. The culture medium supply section 61 is an example of a culture medium supply body. The through-hole 615 is an example of a culture medium opening. The culture medium supply section 2041 is an example of a support body. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...Culture system, 11...Irradiation housing, 31...Carrier container, 51...Carrier, 164...Reflective layer, 1035...Reflective layer

Claims

1. A culture medium for culturing the culture object, the culture medium comprising: a carrier arranged in a vertical direction through which a culture solution containing the culture object flows; and a supply body for supplying the culture solution toward the upper side of the carrier; an irradiator provided along the vertical direction and irradiating the carrier with light; a cover that covers the outside of the culture; a reflector provided on the cover to reflect light toward the culture; A culture device comprising:

2. The culture device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a container in which the culture medium is placed and a container that houses the container.

3. A culture device as described in claim 2, wherein the irradiator is provided inside the container and outside the vessel, and irradiates light onto the culture medium in the vessel.

4. The culture device according to claim 3 , wherein the reflector is provided inside the housing and outside the container, and reflects light toward the culture in the container.

5. A culture medium through which a culture medium containing a culture object flows and cultures the culture object; a cover that covers the outside of the culture; a reflector provided on the cover to reflect light toward the culture; an irradiator provided inside the container and outside the container, which irradiates light onto the culture in the container; Equipped with the container has a cylindrical portion capable of accommodating the culture therein, the reflector is provided on a part of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, The irradiator is located outside the cylindrical portion and faces an area on the inner surface where the reflector is not provided, and irradiates light onto the culture inside the cylindrical portion through the area.

6. The culture medium is a hollow member that is elongated in one direction, The culture apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a gas supply unit disposed inside the culture medium along the one direction and supplying gas toward the inner surface of the culture medium.

7. 7. The culture apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the culture medium is a tubular member having a plurality of pleats extending in one direction.

8. The culture device according to claim 7, further comprising a culture medium supply body provided inside the container and above the culture body, the culture medium supply body having a culture medium opening formed therein for allowing the culture medium to flow out at a position opposite the upper end of the culture body.

9. a support body on which the culture medium is suspended and which is driven to change its position relative to the culture medium; 3. The culture apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the culture medium is deformed as the relative position of the substrate is changed.

10. a container that is detachably provided in a culture device for culturing a culture object; a culture medium for culturing the culture object, the culture medium comprising a carrier provided in the vertical direction within the container, through which a culture solution containing the culture object flows downward, and a supply body for supplying the culture solution toward the upper side of the carrier; an irradiator provided in the container along the vertical direction and irradiating the carrier with light; a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the culture medium in the container; a reflecting section provided in the container for reflecting light toward the culture; A culture unit comprising:

11. a container that is detachably provided in a culture device for culturing a culture object; a culture medium for culturing the culture object, the culture medium comprising a carrier provided in the vertical direction within the container, through which a culture solution containing the culture object flows downward, and a supply body for supplying the culture solution toward the upper side of the carrier; an irradiator provided in the container along the vertical direction and irradiating the carrier with light; a gas supply unit that supplies gas to the culture medium in the container; a reflecting section provided in the container for reflecting light toward the culture; A method for producing a culture object using a culture unit comprising: stopping the supply of the culture medium by the supplier; Removing the incubation unit from the incubation device; recovering the culture target from the culture body in the culture unit; A method for producing a culture object, comprising:

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