Optimal Control of Feeding in Fed-Batch Production of Xylitol

A model-based optimization involving a genetic algorithm was used to establish the optimal substrate feeding profiles in fed-batch fermentations for maximizing the average production rate of xylitol from xylose. The best-case feeding profiles were verified experimentally in fermentations fed with glucose and xylose. The model-predicted profiles agreed remarkably well with the measured data even though the model was based on parameter values derived from a batch fermentation.