Factors Affecting the Specific Growth Rate

Substrate Concentration One of the most widely employed expressions for the effect of substrate concentration on jj. is the Monod equation, which is an empirical expression based on the form of equation normally associated with enzyme kinetics or gas adsorption 1 

While the Monod equation is an oversimplification of the complicated mechanism of cell growth, it often adequately describes fermentation kinetics when the concentrations of those components which inhibit the cell growth are low. 

Several other models have been proposed to improve the Monod equation. They are  

If several substances can limit the growth of a microorganism, the following model can be employed 

If the limiting nutrient is the energy source for the culture, a certain amount of substrate can be used for purposes other than growth. Some models include a term, ke, which accounts for the maintenance of cells as 

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