A computer model based on reaction-diffusion equations for the growth of filamentous fungi on solid substrate

Abstract : A model of two reaction‐diffusion equations for biomass production and glucose consumption was developed. Experiments were carried out in order to estimate the different constants of the model and to compare the behavior of the system using two species of fungi, Rhizopus oligosporus and Trichoderma viride T.S. A mathematical study of the equations was performed. The model provides good predictive values, and the parameters have a precise biological significance. From the study of the phase plane biomass‐glucose, in the case of Rhizopus oligosporus the existence of a secondary metabolism for the growth when glucose consumption is almost complete is proposed.