Stochastic modelling of polysaccharide hydrolysis

Abstract

A stochastic model was selected and developed to describe polysaccharide hydrolysis kinetics. This model can accurately predict the hydrolysis kinetics and covers the limitations of some classical kinetic models (e.g., complexity of mathematical models, large number of parameter estimations, change in parameters with a change in hydrolysis conditions, etc.). One of the main advantages of the stochastic mathematical model approach is represented by the fact that the polysaccharide structural characteristics and operating parameters can be separately incorporated into the model. The stochastic process characterizing the model considers that the breakdown of a polysaccharide by hydrolysis is a random process based on the cleavage of a parent macromolecule within a molecular mass range into two descendants within lower molecular mass ranges. The model description and its implementation in the hydrolysis of a hypothetical polysaccharide were presented.