Optimal control for fermentative production of fructo-oligosaccharides in fed-batch bioreactor

• Published in: Journal of process control 2019-06, Vol.78, p.124-138
• Main Authors: Schorsch, J., Castro, C.C., Couto, L.D., Nobre, C., Kinnaert, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fed-batch bioreactor; Fructo-oligosaccharides; Maximum principle of Pontryagin; Optimal control
• ISSN: 0959-1524; 1873-2771
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jprocont.2019.03.004

•Production of high-content fructo-oligosaccharides by fermentation in a fed-batch bioreactor is considered.•Concentration maximization of the fructo-oligosaccharides performed by resorting to the maximum principle of Pontryagin.•Optimization with inequality constraints on the state and control variables. The production of high-content fructo-oligosaccharides by fermentation in a fed-batch bioreactor is considered. Fed-batch scenario allows to reduce inhibition mechanisms caused by the presence of by-products, such as glucose, while maximizing biomass production. The determination of the feed flow rate profile that maximizes the concentration of fructo-oligosaccharides is performed by resorting to the maximum principle of Pontryagin. The optimization procedure takes into account inequality constraints on the state and control variables and allows the determination of the unspecified final fermentation time corresponding to maximal fructo-oligosaccharides content. The performance of the approach is demonstrated by simulations in the case of fructo-oligosaccharide production by Aspergillus sp.