Macro approach and fuzzy modeling of entrapped biocatalyst

The interactions between a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and an algina te matrix are investigated to ascertain the main factors affecting the bior eaction evolution. During the tests several parameters (glucose, ethanol, c alcium ion and biomass concentration, pH, and alginate bed diameter) were e valuated, coupled with microscopic investigation inside the beads to determ ine the spatial biomass distribution. A detailed analysis of macro paramete rs and a correlation among them are proposed using a fuzzy algorithm. A glo bal two-step fuzzy model results in which biomass distribution inside the b eads is represented as a hidden parameter.