Calculating biodegradation rates

Abstract

Mathematical modeling of biodegradation is useful in determining the rate of loss of parent compound and the rate of production of secondary metabolites. These measures are important in estimating the persistence of xenobiotics in the environment. This paper reviews methods of fitting one and two compartment models to experimental data. Models for both decrease in parent compound and increase in metabolites in batch systems are discussed. The uses of the various mathematical parameters derived from the models are summarized.