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Structured modeling of a microbial system: I. A theoretical study of lactic acid fermentation
Author(s) -
Nielsen Jens,
Nikolajsen Karin,
Villadsen John
Publication year - 1991
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.260380102
Subject(s) - fermentation , lactic acid , biomass (ecology) , biochemical engineering , biological system , microorganism , work (physics) , model system , computer science , bacteria , food science , chemistry , computational biology , biochemistry , biology , ecology , engineering , mechanical engineering , genetics
Most fermentation models presented in the literature are unstructured, i.e., the biomass composition is assumed constant during all operating conditions. These models are unable to simulate experiments carried out at widely different operating conditions. It is therefore interesting to examine simple structured models where knowledge of the cell physiology is taken into account in the modeling phase. In this article, a simple structured model is presented. The model is based on experimental work with the lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus cremoris, but due to the similarities in basic metabolism for many microorganisms it is applicable also for other fermentation system. The basic assumption in the model is that the biomass can be divided into two parts (compartments)–an active part and a mainly inactive structural part. The size of the active part has a pivotal role in the model.