BIOCHEM: A new methodology for designing mixed-culture bioprocesses assisted with bioenergetics models

Abstract

Mixed culture fermentations (MCFs) are recognised as an inexpensive means to produce high-added-valueproducts fromlow-grade biomass However, developing a new bioprocess based on this technology is a challenging task. Although mixed cultures are advantageous when treating complex substrates in a continuous operation they also pose a fundamental challenge: they are complex and uncharacterized and we are not able to fully understand the mechanisms that control these populations. In consequence, it is difficult to control the operation and to foresee the outcome of the process. In this context, we present ERA-NET IB project BIOCHEM project aiming at designing a methodology for the development of a novel process using MCFs focusing on two aspects: reaching a high productivity and achieving a high selectivity of the desired product(s)