Stoichiometric aspects of biological processes

This process frequently involves the synthesis of more complex compounds than those in the feed and they tend to have a higher free energy of formation than the starting materials. Consequently, the micro-organisms must consume some portion of the feed to meet this energy requirement. In the case where the feed is a carbohydrate, the waste materials from the metabolism are carbon dioxide and water, so that the reaction might be written  

Organic compounds. .l l-cl0 0rBan-m.s-) Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy 

This biochemical reaction proceeds in parallel with the synthetic reaction, and the overall process would be observed to be that  

Organic compounds micro organisms) Micro-organisms + Carbon dioxide + Water 

The energy released would be observed as heat, causing the culture to increase in temperature. 

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