MULTI INHIBITION KINETIC-MODEL FOR THE GROWTH OF ALCALIGENES-EUTROPHUS

During the growth phase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, it was observed that the concentrations of glucose and ammonium ions are inhibitory at a certain level, which affects the specific growth rate. Moreover, it has been established from previous work that (an) unidentified substance(s) inhibit(s) the growth at biomass concentrations above 10 g . L(-1). A model taking into account these multiple inhibitory factors is proposed to predict the growth of A. eutrophus. The model parameters were determined by batch experiments except for the parameter associated with inhibition at high biomass concentration. This parameter was estimated by a classical optimization method. The validity of the model was tested by comparing the model predictions with experimental data obtained in batch and transient continuous fermentations and with literature data.