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Ngum LF, Matsushita Y, El-Mashtoly SF, Fath El-Bab AMR, Abdel-Mawgood AL. Separation of microalgae from bacterial contaminants using spiral microchannel in the presence of a chemoattractant. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:36. [PMID: 38647805 PMCID: PMC11016047 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00746-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell separation using microfluidics has become an effective method to isolate biological contaminants from bodily fluids and cell cultures, such as isolating bacteria contaminants from microalgae cultures and isolating bacteria contaminants from white blood cells. In this study, bacterial cells were used as a model contaminant in microalgae culture in a passive microfluidics device, which relies on hydrodynamic forces to demonstrate the separation of microalgae from bacteria contaminants in U and W-shaped cross-section spiral microchannel fabricated by defocusing CO2 laser ablation. At a flow rate of 0.7 ml/min in the presence of glycine as bacteria chemoattractant, the spiral microfluidics devices with U and W-shaped cross-sections were able to isolate microalgae (Desmodesmus sp.) from bacteria (E. coli) with a high separation efficiency of 92% and 96% respectively. At the same flow rate, in the absence of glycine, the separation efficiency of microalgae for U- and W-shaped cross-sections was 91% and 96%, respectively. It was found that the spiral microchannel device with a W-shaped cross-section with a barrier in the center of the channel showed significantly higher separation efficiency. Spiral microchannel chips with U- or W-shaped cross-sections were easy to fabricate and exhibited high throughput. With these advantages, these devices could be widely applicable to other cell separation applications, such as separating circulating tumor cells from blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia F Ngum
- Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
| | - Y Matsushita
- Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences, Nanoscience Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
| | - Samir F El-Mashtoly
- Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M R Fath El-Bab
- Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Department, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
| | - Ahmed L Abdel-Mawgood
- Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences, Biotechnology Program, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Alexandria, 21934, Egypt.
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Karimi A, Sattari-Najafabadi M. Numerical study of bacteria removal from microalgae solution using an asymmetric contraction-expansion microfluidic device: A parametric analysis approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20380. [PMID: 37780775 PMCID: PMC10539965 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have been remarkably taken into account due to their wide applications in the biopharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bio-energy fields. However, contamination of microalgae with bacteria still appears to be a concern, adversely impacting products' quality and process efficiency. Microalgae decontamination with conventional techniques is usually expensive and time-consuming. Moreover, damage to microalgae cells is highly possible. Asymmetric contraction-expansion microchannels (Asym-CEMCs) are promising passive microfluidic devices that can overcome conventional techniques' drawbacks with their standing-out features. However, the flexibility of Asym-CEMCs performance arising from their various tunable geometrical parameters results in the fact that their performance for separating a target particle cannot be predicted without an investigation. In this work, for the first time, Asym-CEMCs were numerically studied for the removal of a very conventional bacteria, B. subtilis (1 μm), from one of the most popular microalgae, C. vulgaris (5.7 μm). The influences of the microchannel aspect ratio, length and width ratios of the expansion-to-contraction zones, and the total flow rate on the separation resolution and focusing width of the particles were investigated by a 3D numerical model. The aspect ratio had the strongest influence on the Asym-CEMC performance, however, the length ratio had no considerable effect on the results. A decrease in the aspect ratio augmented the shear-induced lift force and Dean drag force, leading to a significant separation resolution improvement. Microalgae decontamination was also enhanced by an increase in the total flow rate and expansion-to-contraction width ratio. Finally, a locally optimized Asym-CEMC with an aspect ratio of one and expansion-to-contraction width and length ratios of 4.7 and 2.07, respectively, was proposed, leading to complete microalgae decontamination with a high normalized separation resolution of 0.6. In a word, Asym-CEMCs with tailored dimensions are promising for successfully decontaminating microalgae from bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Karimi
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, 14588-89694, Iran
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Li X, Duan J, Qu Z, Wang J, Ji M, Zhang B. Continuous Particle Separation Driven by 3D Ag-PDMS Electrodes with Dielectric Electrophoretic Force Coupled with Inertia Force. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13010117. [PMID: 35056282 PMCID: PMC8780234 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell separation has become @important in biological and medical applications. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is widely used due to the advantages it offers, such as the lack of a requirement for biological markers and the fact that it involves no damage to cells or particles. This study aimed to report a novel approach combining 3D sidewall electrodes and contraction/expansion (CEA) structures to separate three kinds of particles with different sizes or dielectric properties continuously. The separation was achieved through the interaction between electrophoretic forces and inertia forces. The CEA channel was capable of sorting particles with different sizes due to inertial forces, and also enhanced the nonuniformity of the electric field. The 3D electrodes generated a non-uniform electric field at the same height as the channels, which increased the action range of the DEP force. Finite element simulations using the commercial software, COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4, were performed to determine the flow field distributions, electric field distributions, and particle trajectories. The separation experiments were assessed by separating 4 µm polystyrene (PS) particles from 20 µm PS particles at different flow rates by experiencing positive and negative DEP. Subsequently, the sorting performances of the 4 µm PS particles, 20 µm PS particles, and 4 µm silica particles with different solution conductivities were observed. Both the numerical simulations and the practical particle separation displayed high separating efficiency (separation of 4 µm PS particles, 94.2%; separation of 20 µm PS particles, 92.1%; separation of 4 µm Silica particles, 95.3%). The proposed approach is expected to open a new approach to cell sorting and separating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Li
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
- Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Junping Duan
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Zeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Jiayun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Miaomiao Ji
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Binzhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement Ministry of Education, Micro Nano Technology Research Center, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (X.L.); (J.D.); (Z.Q.); (J.W.); (M.J.)
- Correspondence:
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Tang H, Niu J, Jin H, Lin S, Cui D. Geometric structure design of passive label-free microfluidic systems for biological micro-object separation. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2022; 8:62. [PMID: 35685963 PMCID: PMC9170746 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-022-00386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Passive and label-free microfluidic devices have no complex external accessories or detection-interfering label particles. These devices are now widely used in medical and bioresearch applications, including cell focusing and cell separation. Geometric structure plays the most essential role when designing a passive and label-free microfluidic chip. An exquisitely designed geometric structure can change particle trajectories and improve chip performance. However, the geometric design principles of passive and label-free microfluidics have not been comprehensively acknowledged. Here, we review the geometric innovations of several microfluidic schemes, including deterministic lateral displacement (DLD), inertial microfluidics (IMF), and viscoelastic microfluidics (VEM), and summarize the most creative innovations and design principles of passive and label-free microfluidics. We aim to provide a guideline for researchers who have an interest in geometric innovations of passive label-free microfluidics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Tang
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Jiaqi Niu
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD, Shanghai, 200240 China
| | - Han Jin
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD, Shanghai, 200240 China
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 28 Jiangchuan Easternroad, Shanghai, 200241 China
| | - Shujing Lin
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD, Shanghai, 200240 China
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 28 Jiangchuan Easternroad, Shanghai, 200241 China
| | - Daxiang Cui
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD, Shanghai, 200240 China
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 28 Jiangchuan Easternroad, Shanghai, 200241 China
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Jiang D, Ni C, Tang W, Huang D, Xiang N. Inertial microfluidics in contraction-expansion microchannels: A review. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:041501. [PMID: 34262632 PMCID: PMC8254650 DOI: 10.1063/5.0058732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Inertial microfluidics has brought enormous changes in the conventional cell/particle detection process and now become the main trend of sample pretreatment with outstanding throughput, low cost, and simple control method. However, inertial microfluidics in a straight microchannel is not enough to provide high efficiency and satisfying performance for cell/particle separation. A contraction-expansion microchannel is a widely used and multifunctional channel pattern involving inertial microfluidics, secondary flow, and the vortex in the chamber. The strengthened inertial microfluidics can help us to focus particles with a shorter channel length and less processing time. Both the vortex in the chamber and the secondary flow in the main channel can trap the target particles or separate particles based on their sizes more precisely. The contraction-expansion microchannels are also capable of combining with a curved, spiral, or serpentine channel to further improve the separation performance. Some recent studies have focused on the viscoelastic fluid that utilizes both elastic forces and inertial forces to separate different size particles precisely with a relatively low flow rate for the vulnerable cells. This article comprehensively reviews various contraction-expansion microchannels with Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids for particle focusing, separation, and microfluid mixing and provides particle manipulation performance data analysis for the contraction-expansion microchannel design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Jiang
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
| | - Chen Ni
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | | | - Di Huang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Nan Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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Hur SC, Lee W. Editorial for the Special Issue on Inertial Microfluidics. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12060587. [PMID: 34063750 PMCID: PMC8223770 DOI: 10.3390/mi12060587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Soojung Claire Hur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St., Latrobe 221, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
- Correspondence: (S.C.H.); (W.L.)
| | - Wonhee Lee
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro E6-6, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro E6-6,Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Correspondence: (S.C.H.); (W.L.)
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