Question

The production of alcohol by continuous culture is feasible, why?

(a) Due to protein degeneration

(b) By-product of mass generation

(c) By-product of energy generation

(d) Due to Strain degeneration

I have been asked this question during an internship interview.

This interesting question is from Comparison of Batch and Continuous Culture in Industrial Processes topic in chapter Microbial Growth Kinetics of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) By-product of energy generation

For explanation I would say: The problem of strain degeneration has limited application of large scale continuous culture to biomass and, to a lesser extent, potable and industrial alcohol. The production of alcohol by continuous culture is feasible because it is a byproduct of energy generation and thus, is not a drain on the resources of the organism.