Modelling and simulation of diffusional mass transfer of glucose during fermentative production of pediocin AcH from Pediococcus acidilactici H

Fermentative production of bacteriocin, pediocin AcH was studied in a batch fermenter using Pediococcus acidilactici H. An initial pH of 6.5 and a fermentation temperature of 37degreesC were found to be favourable for optimum production up to 20 h of fermentation time. Rate of cell growth utilizing glucose as substrate during the exponential growth phase and stationary phase was studied experimentally and the data obtained were simulated into the proposed model. The mathematical model also considered the diffusional mass transfer of glucose into the active mass of the cell. Results showed that the model could adequately account for the transfer mechanism of glucose and the phenomenon of cell growth in the fermenter in exponential growth and stationary phases. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.