3.13 Nonlinear data correlation
Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are homogenised to release recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen for vaccine production. During homogenisation, fractional protein release is predicted to follow the equation:
where Sp is the fractional protein release, k is a constant dependent on the operating pressure of the homogeniser, and t is time. At a fixed pressure, the following data are obtained.
Time (s) Fractional protein release (−)
20 0.25
30 0.31
60 0.62
90 0.75
120 0.79
150 0.88
(a) Is the predicted model a reasonable one for this system?
(b) What is the value of k?
(c) What time is required to release 50% of the protein?
(d) What time is required to release 95% of the protein? How good is your answer?