5mmminipage15cm A Morphologically Structured Model for Mycelial Growth andSecondary Metabolite Formation

A morphologically structured model isproposed todescribe the batch fermentation of lovastatin according to the growthkineticsof filamentous microorganisms. Three kinds of hyphae areconsidered in the model activelygrowing hyphae, non-growing hyphae anddeactivated hyphae. Furthermore, actively growinghyphae consist ofthree morphological compartments apical compartment which gives risetohyphal tip extension; subapical compartment which is related to hyphalbranching; andhyphal compartment which is only responsible forsecondary metabolite formation. Thekinetics of mycelial growthmechanism issummarized and applied in modeling lovastatinfermentation. AMichaelis-Menten kinetic model with substrate inhibition is proposedforproduct formation. As expected, the model simulations fit well withexperimental dataobtained either from a laboratory scale 10 Lfermenter or from a pilot-plant scalefermenter.