Effect of biomass concentration on the specific solvent productivity ofClostridium acetobutylicum in chemostat culture

Summary Using a defined medium in chemostat culture, an inverse relationship between the biomass concentration and the specific butanol productivity has been observed. It is suggested that this is due to the cell population not being homogeneous, and that a change in the nutrient balance leads to a cha in the relative proportions of acidogenic, solventogenic and inert cells (spores).