The In Silico Optimization of a Fed-Batch Reactor Used for the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Chicory Inulin to Fructose by Employing a Dynamic Approach

In recent years, inulin enzymatic hydrolysis has become a very promising alternative for producing fructose on a large scale. Genetically modified chicory was used to extract inulin of industrial quality. By using an adequate kinetic model from the literature, this study aimed to determine the optim...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniela Gheorghe, Gheorghe Maria, Laura Renea, Crina Muscalu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Dynamics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8716/5/1/10
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Summary:In recent years, inulin enzymatic hydrolysis has become a very promising alternative for producing fructose on a large scale. Genetically modified chicory was used to extract inulin of industrial quality. By using an adequate kinetic model from the literature, this study aimed to determine the optimal operating alternatives of a batch (<b>BR</b>) or fed-batch (<b>FBR</b>) reactor used for the hydrolysis of inulin to fructose. The operation of the <b>FBR</b> with a constant or variable/dynamic feeding was compared to that of the <b>BR</b> to determine which best maximizes reactor production while minimizing enzyme consumption. Multi-objective optimal solutions were also investigated by using the Pareto-optimal front technique. Our in-silico analysis reveals that, for this enzymatic process, the best alternative is the <b>FBR</b> operated with a constant control variable but using the set-point given by the (breakpoint) of the Pareto optimal front under the imposed technological constraints. This set point reported the best performances, regarding all the considered opposite economic objectives. Also, the <b>FBR</b> with a constant, but NLP optimal feeding, reported fairly good performances.
ISSN:2673-8716