What is the difference between continuous culture and batch culture techniques?

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Accepted Answer

While batch culture and continuous culture are both used to grow microorganisms or cells, there are some stark differences between the two techniques (see table below).

Batch Culture
Continuous Culture

Microorganisms or cells are grown in an environment with a limited supply of nutrients
Microorganisms or cells are grown in an environment where nutrients are continuously supplied

Nutrients are added at the start of the process and are a limiting factor
Nutrients are added continuously throughout the process

Growth is carried out in a closed system
Growth is carried out in an open system

Lag, log and stationary phases occur
Lag and log phases are maintained

Less labor-intensive
Labor-intensive and costly

Low yielding process
High yielding process

Low turnover rate
High turnover rate

Used for the production of secondary metabolites (e.g. antibiotics)
Used for the production of primary metabolites (e.g. amino acids)

Product is removed when fermentation has stopped
Products are continuously removed

Low chance of contamination
High change of contamination

Batch Culture	Continuous Culture
Microorganisms or cells are grown in an environment with a limited supply of nutrients	Microorganisms or cells are grown in an environment where nutrients are continuously supplied
Nutrients are added at the start of the process and are a limiting factor	Nutrients are added continuously throughout the process
Growth is carried out in a closed system	Growth is carried out in an open system
Lag, log and stationary phases occur	Lag and log phases are maintained
Less labor-intensive	Labor-intensive and costly
Low yielding process	High yielding process
Low turnover rate	High turnover rate
Used for the production of secondary metabolites (e.g. antibiotics)	Used for the production of primary metabolites (e.g. amino acids)
Product is removed when fermentation has stopped	Products are continuously removed
Low chance of contamination	High change of contamination

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