Modelling of an industrial biotransformation process for tryptophan production

SOLLE D,; FAURIE R,; BRECCIA JD,; SCHEPER T,; HITZMANN B,

Nancy

Simposio; 9th International symposium on computer applications in biotechnology; 2004

For an industrial biotransformation process a simple mathematical model has been developed. During the process indole and serine is converted to tryptophan using the enzyme tryptophan synthase, which is supplied in E. coli cells. The tryptophan production has been described by a first order kinetic with respect to serine and the relative cell concentration as well as zero order kinetics with respect to indole. The 10.000 L reactor, in which the production is performed, is described as an ideal stirred tank reactor. The activity of the cell suspension, i. e. the activity of the tryptophan synthase, which was considered in one of the model parameter could be determined from fluorescence measurements (fluorescence intensity at 350 nm excitation and 470 nm emission wavelength)using a linear regression model. The model prediction corresponds very well with off-line measurement. Copyright 2004 IFAC