Mathematical model for dye decoloration and laccase production by Trametes versicolor in fluidized bioreactor

•The fungal degradation of a metal complex dyes has been mathematically described.•The model considers all the steps involved in the degradation mechanism.•The main steps are adsorption, enzymatic degradation and enzymatic production.•The model is easy to apply to any other organic pollutant biodegradation process.

Models of bioprocesses conducted in bioreactors play a crucial role in the analysis, design, control and development of these bioprocesses. The present work developed a mathematical model for Trametes versicolor dye decolorization and enzymatic production in a fluidized bed bioreactor operating in batch, repeated batch and continuous mode. The mathematical model considers all of the steps involved in a dye decoloration process, such as the initial dye adsorption on the biomass, intracellular degradation, extracellular degradation, enzyme production and enzyme excretion to the broth. Results obtained from specific experiments at different experimental conditions were used to estimate the kinetic constants. Finally, the whole mathematical model was constructed and validated. Although the variability of the measures, the model predicts the tendency of the experimental results which supports the reliability of the established model and shows that the model can be used to successfully simulate dye decoloration and enzyme production in a fluidized bioreactor.