SIMPLE STRUCTURED MODEL FOR ALPHA-AMYLASE SYNTHESIS BY BACILLUS-AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS

A predictive, simple, structured model describing the synthesis of alpha-amylase by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was formulated. Three key intracellular processes were identified (i.e., transcription, translation, and excretion) along with two key intracellular components (i.e., mRNA and the intracellular form of the alpha-amylase enzyme). Nearly all the model parameters were estimated by means of performing independent experiments, primarily fed-batch experiments. The model was shown to predict transient system behavior in batch and in fed-batch operation with some limitations and minor model parameter revisions. Since a principal objective was to demonstrate that independent experimental parameter determination can be used to construct the predictive model, further fine-tuning of the parameters may be necessary before application for optimization and control purposes.