A general model for multiple substrate biodegradation. Application to co-metabolism of structurally non-analogous compounds.
The availability of multiple carbon/energy sources, as is common in wastewater treatment plants, often enhances the biodegradation of recalcitrant compounds. In this paper, we classify and model different modes of multiple substrate utilization in a systematic way, using the concept of synthesizing unit. According to this concept, substrates can be substitutable or complementary; their uptake (or processing) can be sequential or parallel. We show how the different modes of multiple substrate interaction can be described by a single general model. From the general model, we derive simple expressions for co-metabolism of substrates that are not structurally analogous. Both the general and the specific co-metabolism model have the advantage that they can be used in combination with any microbial growth model. To test the co-metabolism model's realism, we confront it with experimental data. The results attained with the co-metabolism model support that the general model constitutes a useful framework for modeling aspects of multiple substrate utilization.
Brandt
Bernd W
BW
Department of Theoretical Biology, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands. bernd@bio.vu.nl
van Leeuwen
Ingeborg M M
IM
Kooijman
Sebastiaan A L M
SA
D001419:Bacteria; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D014873:Water Pollutants; D002244:Carbon