A batch culture of E. coli was initiated with a medium containing 10 g/L of glucose, 2 g/L of ammonia, and 0.1 g/L of cells. At the end of culture, 0.1 g/L of glucose remained in the medium. A total of 5.1 g/L of E. coli were recovered. The elemental composition of the cells was determined to be (by mass) 53% C, 7.3% H, 12.0% N, and 19.0% O, with the remaining balance being ashes.
a) Calculate the yield (by mass) of biomass based on glucose and nitrogen.
b) Write down the stoichiometric equation for biomass formation from glucose and ammonia.
c) Assume all the carbon that was not incorporated into biomass was used for energy generation and was completely oxidized to carbon dioxide. Also, assume that each mole of glucose produces 38 moles of ATP when completely oxidized to carbon dioxide. Calculate the biomass yield coefficient based on ATP.