Mathematical modelling of ethanol production from glucose/xylose mixtures by recombinant Zymomonas mobilis

A model has been developed for the fermentation of mixtures of glucose and xylose by recombinant Zymomonas mobilis strain ZM4(pZB5), containing additional genes for xylose assimilation and metabolism. A two-substrate model based on substrate limitation, substrate inhibition, and product (ethanol) inhibition was evaluated, and experimental data was compared with model simulations using a Microsoft EXCEL based program and methods of statistical analysis for error minimization. From the results it was established that the model provides good predictions of experimental batch culture data for 25/25, 50/50, and 65/65 g l(-1) glucose/xylose media.