Identification of a metabolic network structure representative of arthrospira (spirulina) platensis metabolism

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Abstract
A comprehensive network structure for the autotrophic growth of Arthrospira platensis is proposed. The metabolic network was built up with 121 reactions and 134 metabolites including biomass synthesis, production of a growth‐associated exopolysaccharide, and energy aspects. The model supports the existence of a metabolic shunt of PEP to pyruvate through PEP carboxylase, NAD+‐dependent malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme to convert NADH,H+ into NADPH,H+. A limit in Arthrospira growth metabolism due to NADH,H+ balancing is evidenced, explaining why the maximal light‐dependent mass yield of the growth‐associated exopolysaccharide was 0.51 kg EPS kg−1 biomass, consistent with experimental results. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng84: 667–676, 2003.