Real‐time estimation of aerobic batch fermentation biomass concentration by component balancing

Real‐time estimates of biomass concentration and growth rate in fermentation processes were obtained by performing a material balance on oxygen and employing a kinetic model for molecular oxygen utilization. A model containing yield and maintenance terms was satisfactory in fermentations where only the EMP and TCA pathways were utilized for glucose metabolism. However, model alterations based on metabolic energetics were required before accurate estimates were obtained for a metabolically complex fermentation producing bakers yeast.