Effect of biomass concentration on the specific solvent productivity of Clostridium acetobutylicum in chemostat culture

Abstract

Using a defined medium in chemostat culture, an inverse relationship between the biomass concentration and the specific butanol productivity has been observed. It is suggested that this is due to the cell population not being homogeneous, and that a change in the nutrient balance leads to a cha in the relative proportions of acidogenic, solventogenic and inert cells (spores). © 1991 Society for Industrial Microbiology.