The production of extracellular enzymes is gaining momentum as commercial interests seek alternative ways to
improve the productivity in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Early research studies looked at
improving batch bioreactor operational challenges; however, the use of continuous cultures was indicated to be
favourable. This led to a new approach developed to produce extracellular enzymes continuously using fixed-film
bioreactors from biofilms immobilised on polymeric and inorganic membranes. In this review, the performance of
P. chrysosporium biomass, evaluated in terms of ligninase production using different bioreactor operation
conditions, is highlighted. Furthermore, the limitations related to the implementation of optimised batch culture
conditions to continuous fixed-film bioreactors are discussed. DO transportation, trace element toxicity and lipid
peroxidation effects on P. chrysosporium biomass in fixed-film bioreactors operated for elongated periods, are also
discussed.
