Evaluation of a Kinetic Model for Computer Simulation of Growth and Fermentation by Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis Fed D-Xylose

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering Vol. 111; no. 8; pp. 1532 - 1540
• Main Authors: Slininger, P. J, Dien, B. S, Lomont, J. M, Bothast, R. J, Ladisch, M. R, Okos, M. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-08-2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: batch fermentation; Biocatalysts; bioreactors; cell recycle; Computer Simulation; Differential equations; equations; Ethanol; Ethanol - metabolism; ethanol fermentation; ethanol production; ethanol stripping; Ethyl alcohol; fed-batch; Fermentation; Kinetics; lignocellulose; linear models; Mathematical models; microbial growth; model validation; Models, Biological; oxygen; Oxygen - metabolism; Pichia; Pichia - growth & development; Pichia - metabolism; Pichia stipitis; Scheffersomyces stipitis; Simulation; simulation models; Xylose; Xylose - metabolism; Yeast; yeasts; ethanol stripping; fed-batch; simulation; model; cell recycle; ethanol; lignocellulose
• ISSN: 1097-0290; 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.25215

Scheffersomyces (formly Pichia) stipitis is a potential biocatalyst for converting lignocelluloses to ethanol because the yeast natively ferments xylose. An unstructured kinetic model based upon a system of linear differential equations has been formulated that describes growth and ethanol production as functions of ethanol, oxygen, and xylose concentrations for both growth and fermentation stages. The model was validated for various growth conditions including batch, cell recycle, batch with in situ ethanol removal and fed-batch. Integrating basic kinetic and physiological yeast properties, the model is an important predictive tool for simulating and optimizing various culture conditions and evaluating various bioreactor designs for ethanol production.