Fungal cells are cultured in a bioreactor using glucose (C6H12O6) as the carbon source andnitrate (NO3⁻) as the nitrogen source. The vessel is sparged with air. Biomass is the majorproduct formed; however, because the cells are subject to autolysis, significant levels of excretedby-products with the same molecular composition as the biomass are also produced.Elemental analysis of the fungal biomass gives a molecular formula of CH1.75O0.85N0.20, withnegligible ash. Yield measurements show that 0.28 g of intact fungal cells is produced per gramof glucose consumed, while 0.25 g of by-product is formed per gram of intact biomass.(a) If 8 kg of glucose is consumed per hour, at what rate must oxygen be provided to thereactor in units of mol min⁻¹?
Fungal cells are cultured in a bioreactor using glucose (C6H12O6) as the carbon source and
nitrate (NO3⁻) as the nitrogen source. The vessel is sparged with air. Biomass is the major
product formed; however, because the cells are subject to autolysis, significant levels of excreted
by-products with the same molecular composition as the biomass are also produced.
Elemental analysis of the fungal biomass gives a molecular formula of CH1.75O0.85N0.20, with
negligible ash. Yield measurements show that 0.28 g of intact fungal cells is produced per gram
of glucose consumed, while 0.25 g of by-product is formed per gram of intact biomass.
(a) If 8 kg of glucose is consumed per hour, at what rate must oxygen be provided to the
reactor in units of mol min⁻¹?
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