MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR LACTIC ACID PRODUCTION FROM FRESH CASSAVA ROOTS BY STREPTOCOCCUS BOVIS

Abstract

The fermentation kinetics of lactic acid by Streptococcus bovis was studied in batch system. Unstructured models were used to describe the substrate utilization, biomass growth and product formation in lactic acid production process. A simple model was proposed using logistic equation for growth, the Luedeking-Piret equation for lactic acid production and Michaelis-Menten equation for substrate utilization. The model appeared to provide a reasonable description for each parameter during the growth phase. The experimental results suggest the formation of lactic acid was mixed growth associated.

Keywords: Lactic acid, fresh cassava roots, S. bovis, mathematical model