Mathematical modeling of fermentation from glucose, xylose, and food waste of clostridia sp. strain BOH3 for the production of ABE solvents and hydrogen

In this study we develop a robust, structured dynamic model of ABE and hydrogen production using Clostridium BOH3 strain. The model represents simultaneous fermentation of glucose and xylose, and concurrent saccharification and fermentation when grown on a variety of complex feedstocks, using only a single adjustable parameter. The model simulations were developed and validated with experimental data of BOH3 fermentations from the literature. Sugar consumption and ABE production dynamics are successfully predicted at different glucose to xylose ratios, and from hydrolyzed lignocellulose, representative of horticultural waste. Butanol and hydrogen production are in close agreement with the experimental data in simulations with rice starch and food waste as substrates. The sensitivity analysis highlights the important roles of xylose transport and xylose kinase on the xylose consumption and butanol formation, in accordance with experimental findings on how these enzymes enable the efficient xylose utilization by BOH3.