During the growth phase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, it was observed that
the concentrations of glucose and ammonium ions are inhibitory at a c
ertain level, which affects the specific growth rate. Moreover, it has
been established from previous work that (an) unidentified substance(
s) inhibit(s) the growth at biomass concentrations above 10 g . L(-1).
A model taking into account these multiple inhibitory factors is prop
osed to predict the growth of A. eutrophus. The model parameters were
determined by batch experiments except for the parameter associated wi
th inhibition at high biomass concentration. This parameter was estima
ted by a classical optimization method. The validity of the model was
tested by comparing the model predictions with experimental data obtai
ned in batch and transient continuous fermentations and with literatur
e data.