Experimental and in silico investigation of population heterogeneity in continuous Sachharomyces cerevisiae scale‐down fermentation in a two‐compartment setup

摘要: BACKGROUND In large-scale bioreactors, microbes often encounter fluctuating conditions of nutrient and oxygen supply, resulting in different microbial behavior at the scales. The underlying reason is spatial heterogeneity, caused by limited mixing capabilities production scale. Consequently, scale-up processes challenging there a need for laboratory-scale reactor setups that can mimic to enhance understanding how environmental affect physiology. RESULTS A two-compartment, scale-down setup, consisting two interconnected stirred tank reactors was used combination with mathematical modeling, continuous cultivations. One represents feeding zone high glucose concentration low oxygen, whereas other one remaining volume. An earlier developed population balance model coupled an unstructured describe development bulk concentrations cell size distributions varying dilution rate, feed as well recirculation times between compartments. profiles biomass were successfully validated experimentally. Single properties fluorescent reporter strains applied deeper investigation robustness characteristics ethanol growth quantified compartment-wise revealing differences related also compared one-compartment, conventional chemostat. CONCLUSION Results underline utility proposed combined approach use process investigations insights concerning single-cell are revealed, which normally hidden. © 2014 Society Chemical Industry