Mathematical modeling of growth and alkaloid production in Claviceps purpurea batch fermentation.

An new systematic approach for describing Claviceps purpurea growth and ergot alkaloid production during batch fermentation is presented. The model is based on microbial life, as the main characteristic for microbial development during fermentation process. The aging process of the microorganism is represented by life function, defined in microbial life space. The life space is defined as a measure in which the observer follows the development of a biosystem through physiological and morphological changes of a microorganism. As a consequence of such approach the relativistic theory is recognized. To validate the model developed, a test on growth and alkaloid synthesis data from an industrial batch fermentation was performed. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.