A semimechanistic mathematical model for growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in a model solid‐state fermentation system

A Semimechanistic mathematical model is developed which describes the growth of Rhizopus oligosporus in a model solid‐state fermentation system. Equations are presented for the release of glucoamylase, the diffusion of glucoamylase, the hydrolysis of starch, the generation and diffusion of glucose, and the uptake of glucose and conversion into new biomass. Good agreement of the model with the experimental data was obtained only after the glucoamylase diffusivity and the maximum specific glucose uptake rate were altered from their originally determined values. The model recognizes the distributed nature of the solid‐state fermentation and therefore is able to predict the concentration profiles of the system components within the substrate. The model provides an insight into the possible rate‐limiting steps in solid‐state fermentation—the generation of glucose within the substrate and the resulting availability of glucose at the surface.