Estimating cell and product yields

The balance equations for carbon, reduction potential, and energy during cell growth and product formation are rederived in a general form. Cells are treated simply as a very complex product, and the Y(ATP) concept is extended to products. Limitations on the theoretical yield are discussed for different product types. Simple aerobic products cannot be energy limited unless the maintenance requirement is large, while complex products cannot be reduction limited. A maximum yield is defined for products much more oxidized than their substrate (carbon limited) because the theoretical yield conditions may violate the energy balance. For reduced complex products the yield on available electrons is related to Y(ATP), the P/O ratio, and the product composition. Narrow bounds are established on the actual yields in simple anaerobic fermentations, and the significance of the yields in the linear growth equation is discussed.