Modeling mixed culture fermentations; the role of different electron carriers.
A recently established mixed culture fermentation (MCF) model has been modified to account for the role of different electron carriers in the process. The MCF-model predicts the product spectrum as a function of the actual environmental conditions using a thermodynamic optimization criterion while satisfying a number of constraints. Other improvements made to the original model are the inclusion of formate as fermentation end-product, and gas-liquid mass transfer. The model is adequately capable of reproducing experimental results in terms of butyrate and formate versus hydrogen/carbon dioxide production. The model is not capable of predicting the production of an ethanol/acetate mixture as measured at higher pH-values, suggesting specific biochemical control. Catabolic acetate production can potentially be explained by anabolic requirements for a specific electron donor like NADH.
Kleerebezem
R
R
Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands. r.kleerebezem@tudelft.nl
Rodríguez
J
J
Temudo
M F
MF
van Loosdrecht
M C M
MC
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D004583:Electrons; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005288:Ferredoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D005561:Formates / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008954:Models, Biological
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005288:Ferredoxins; D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D005947:Glucose