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Computer control of the penicillin fermentation using the filtration probe in conjunction with a structured process model
Author(s) -
Nestaas Eirik,
Wang Daniel I. C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.21156
Subject(s) - fermentation , cytoplasm , penicillin , biomass (ecology) , lysis , filtration (mathematics) , cell , chemistry , biological system , process (computing) , biochemistry , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , mathematics , computer science , ecology , statistics , operating system , antibiotics
A structured model for the penicillin fermentation is presented. This model includes three different cell types: 1) hyphae tips, 2) penicillin‐producing cells, and 3) degenerated, matabolically inactive cells. Cell degeneration has been described previously as a gradual loss of cytoplasmic material by endogenous metabolism. The rate at which such loss of cytoplasm (and activity) proceeds can be expressed as a linear function of the specific growth rate. At growth rates above some minimum value (0.0115 h −1 ) cell degeneration can be prevented. This model served as the control basis during open‐loop as well as closed‐loop computer control of the fermentation. Closed‐loop control was achieved through feedback information of biomass concentration using a filtration probe and was required when complex nutrients contributed significantly to the overall biomass production. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.