Kinetics studies of product inhibition in alcoholic fermentation

Abstract

This paper presents inhibitory effect of ethanol on growth of cells and ethanol production. A linear fall was observed of survival (%) of Kluyveromyces Thermotolerans cells with time. Change in death rate constant of cells beyond certain range of ethanol concentration was due to shift in mechanism of cells inhibition. Pronounced inhibitory effect was observed at higher ethanol concentrations in broth. Decrease in optimum temperature for growth of cells was found with added ethanol concentration. This also confirms more inhibitory effect of product on microorganism at higher temperature. This study confirms both reversible and irreversible inhibition of cells by ethanol.