Energetics of Pseudomonas cepacia G4 growth in a chemostat with phenol limitation

Abstract

AbstractAnalysis of the growth of Pseudomonas cepacia G4 on phenol in continuous culture has been carried out. The data were checked for consistency using both available electron and carbon balances. Coupled with the covariate adjustment estimation technique, the best estimates for true biomass energetic yield, ηmax and maintenance, me, were obtained when the carbon dioxide measurements were excluded. However, upon making corrections to the gas measurements, the best estimates were the maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) based on the complete data. The method therefore allows discrimination to be made between data. Also, similar estimates were obtained using Pirt's model based on the Monod approach and a modified form based on substrate uptake rate being the limiting factor. For the aerobic growth of P. cepacia G4 on phenol, ηmax = 0·417 and me = 0·0513 h−1 were obtained when the CO2 data were excluded. When corrections were made to the gas measurements to take into account the dissolved CO2 and the effect of operating temperature, ηmax = 0·432 and me = 0·0684 h−1 were obtained. From the 95% confidence intervals, a maximum of about 38–47·5% of the energy contained in phenol is incorporated into the biomass while the balance (52·5–62%) is evolved as heat with only a little energy needed for the maintenance of the organism.