Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling of Ilamycin E Production in Streptomyces atratus SCSIO ZH16 Submerged Fermentation

AbstractA computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed and validated against experiments for a laboratory-scale 5-L bioreactor. Numerical simulation was performed to describe the bioreaction ofStreptomyces atratusSCSIO ZH16 fermentation for ilamycin E production with the dynamic changes in viscosity of the fermentation broth due to biomass growth and decay. This model can account for the two-way coupling between the fermentation environment and medium, which allowed for the elucidation of the impact of the flow field in the bioreactor on bacterial growth and production, as well as the influence of viscosity changes on the flow field. This work represents the first integration of Streptomyces fermentation with CFD, enabling the simulation of flow field and mass transfer under varying stirring speed, aeration rate, and viscosity duringStreptomycesfermentation. An optimum range of fermentation broth viscosity (10-30 mPa s) was identified for ilamycin E production byS.atratusSCSIO ZH16 fermentation. Furthermore, the addition of sorbitol to optimize the viscosity of the fermentation broth in the later stages of fermentation. The enhanced mass transfer efficiency strengthens the respiration, energy supply, and carbon source consumption inStreptomyces, thereby increasing the ilamycin E production. This research offers a practical strategy for the process intensification and industrial scale-up for such bioreactors.Graphical abstract