Abstract
To obtain fundamental knowledge required for attaining adequate aeration, the rate of oxygen demand in glutamic acid fermentation was discussed in connection with its fermentation rates. On the basis of specific rates, rates of change per unit mass of cells, glutamic acid fermentation was found to fall in the process pattern of Gaden's type II, in which a constant rate of oxygen demand was sustained for a considerable time. On the basis of volumetric rates, rates of change per unit volume of broths, oxygen demand was recognized to be correlated with growth, sugar utilization and product formation, and it was pointed out particularly that the oxygen demand was closedly related with sugar utilization. In the particular cases where rapid utilization of sugar occurred, therefore, oxygen deficiency was liable to be evoked being unable to fill the growing oxygen demand. This finding might be useful for scale-up studies or process design.
