Modeling and analysis of a high cell density fermentation process for lactic acid production from low-grade biomass

摘要

A novel high cell density fermentation process that utilizes Lactobacillus Plantarum cell aggregates and biofilms on carrier particles has been developed for the conversion of lactose from cheese whey to lactic acid. Continuous fermentation runs wre conducted for over 180 h at various dilution rates at cell densities as high as ~14 g/l. The volumetric acid productivity at 11 g/l/h is about five times higher than with continuous fermentation with free cells. A mathematical model is developed to describe mass transfer and bioreaction processes in the biofilm and cell aggregates. Model predictions compare favourably with the experimental data.