Microbial Growth and Limiting Factors

This lecture covers the exponential growth of bacterial cells, biomass production, and the limitations imposed by substrate availability. It also discusses the relationship between glucose concentration and growth rate, as well as the concept of chemostats in continuous culture. The Law of the Minimum is explained through examples, illustrating how nutrient limitations affect biomass production. The lecture delves into the production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by bacteria under nutrient-limiting conditions, and the applications of tailored PHA production. Various factors influencing microbial growth, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, are explored, along with the prediction of growth limitations in dual-limiting conditions.