In the present work, an integrated dynamic metabolic/polymerization kinetic model is developed for the prediction of the intracellular accumulation profile and the molecular weight distribution of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB) or PHB) produced in microbial cultures. The model integrates two different length/time scales by combining a polymerization kinetic model with a metabolic one. The bridging point between the two models is the concentration of the monomer unit (i.e. 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA) produced during the central aerobic carbon metabolism. The predictive capabilities of the proposed model are assessed by the comparison of the calculated biopolymer concentration and number average molecular weight with available experimental data obtained from batch and fed-batch cultures of Alcaligenes eutrophus and Alcaligenes latus. The accuracy of the proposed model was found to be satisfactory, setting this model a valuable tool for the design of the process operating profile for the production of different polymer grades with desired molecular properties.
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