Bahir Dar University

Bahir Dar Insitute of Technology

School of Chemical and Food Engineering
M.Sc. Process Engineering

Course: Advanced Biochemical Process Engineering

Problem 1

1. For production of penicillin (C16H1804N2S) using Penicillium mould, glucose (C6H120 6) is

used as substrate and phenylacetic acid (C8H802) is added as precursor. The stoichiometry for
overall synthesis is:

a) What is the maximum theoretical yield of penicillin from glucose?

b) When results from a particular penicillin fermentation were analyzed, it was found
that 24% of the glucose had been used for growth, 70% for cell maintenance activities
(such as membrane transport and macromolecule turnover), and only 6% for
penicillin synthesis. Calculate the yield of penicillin from glucose under these
conditions.
c) Batch fermentation under the conditions described in (b) is carried out in a 100-1itre
tank. Initially, the tank is filled with nutrient medium containing 50 g/l glucose and 4
g/l phenylacetic acid. If the reaction is stopped when the glucose concentration is 5.5
g 1-1, determine:
d) (i) which is the limiting substrate if NH3, 02 and H2SO4 are provided in excess;
(ii) the total mass of glucose used for growth;
(iii) the amount of penicillin produced; and
(iv) the final concentration of phenylacetic acid.

2. Anaerobic digestion of volatile acids by methane bacteria is represented by the equation:

The composition of methane bacteria is approximated by the empirical formula CH 1.4O0.4N0.2.

For each kg acetic acid consumed, 0.67 kg CO2 is evolved. How does the yield of methane
under these conditions compare with the maximum possible yield?

3. Klebsiella aerogenes is produced from glycerol in aerobic culture with ammonia as nitrogen
source. The biomass contains 8% ash, 0.40 g biomass is produced for each g glycerol
consumed, and no major metabolic products are formed. What is the oxygen requirement for
this culture in mass terms?