TABLE 3.

Specific biomass yields, specific phthalate- and benzoate-fermenting activities, and the specific biomass yield values normalized to an energy quantum of 70 kJ · mol⁻¹ of the fermentative organisms in the three mixed cultures grown on benzoate or the phthalate isomers

Culture	Substrate	YXFermS (g [dry wt] · mol−1)	qXFermSmaxa (mol-S · [g (dry wt) ·  day]−1)	Acetateb (mM)	H2b (Pa)	ΔG′c (kJ · mol-S−1)	YXFermΔGd (g [dry wt] · 70 kJ−1)
Isophthalate	Isophthalate	4.7	0.019	1.6	3.5	−92.4	3.6
	Benzoate	7.8	0.017	2.5	6.0	−56.0	9.7
Phthalate	Phthalate	4.3	0.020	4.0	4.0	−88.5	3.4
	Benzoate	9.0	0.024	10.0	6.0	−45.2	13.9
Terephthalate	Terephthalate	4.0	0.023	1.3	3.0	−95.4	3.0
	Benzoate	8.4	0.021	2.5	4.0	−59.1	10.0

^aThe maximum specific conversion rate was calculated according as follows: q_XFermS^max = μ_S^max · Y_XFermS⁻¹. 

^bThe acetate and hydrogen concentrations represent average concentrations, as measured during exponential growth of the cultures. 

^cValues for the actual Gibbs free-energy change for fermentation of the phthalate isomers (reaction 1, Table 1) and benzoate (reaction 2, Table 1), calculated with a concentration of 4 mM for the phthalate isomers and benzoate and a bicarbonate concentration of 40 mM. 

^dMeasured biomass yields (see Table 2) normalized to an energy quantum of 70 kJ · (mol-S)⁻¹.