A general model for multiple substrate biodegradation. Application to co-metabolism of structurally non-analogous compounds.
Brandt, B.W., Leeuwen, I.M.M. van and Kooijman, S.A.L.M. 2003.
A general model for multiple substrate biodegradation. Application to co-metabolism of structurally non-analogous compounds.
Water Research, 37: 4843-4854.
Abstract
The availability of multiple carbon/energy sources, as is common in
wastewater treatment plants, often enhances the biodegradation of
recalcitrant compounds. In this paper, we classify and model different
modes of multiple substrate utilization in a systematic way, using the
concept of synthesizing unit. According to this concept, substrates
can be substitutable or complementary; their uptake (or processing)
can be sequential or parallel. We show how the different modes of
multiple substrate interaction can be described by a single general
model. From the general model, we derive simple expressions for
co-metabolism of substrates that are not structurally analogous. Both
the general and the specific co-metabolism model have the advantage
that they can be used in combination with any microbial growth
model. To test the co-metabolism model's realism, we confront it with
experimental data. The results attained with the co-metabolism model
support that the general model constitutes a useful framework for
modeling aspects of multiple substrate utilization.