An improved model for multistage simulation of glycerol fermentation in batch culture and its parameter identification

The bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol is a complex bioprocess. In this study, we aim to explore a novel model for describing the multistage cell growth in batch culture. This is achieved by a modification at the specific rate of cell growth in consideration of its time-dependent changes. The existence, uniqueness and boundedness of solutions to the system and the continuity of solutions with respect to the parameters are discussed. In addition, a parameter identification problem of the system is developed and a feasible optimization algorithm is constructed to solve it. Numerical result shows that the improved model could describe the batch culture well.