Reparameterization of the Monod equation for optimum experimental design and enhanced estimation of model parameters: Application to the nitrification kinetics

Abstract The Monod equation is frequently used for modelling of the microbial growth kinetics. Traditionally, the estimation of the Monod parameters is conducted through sampling at arbitrary times, which can lead to unnecessary experimental workload and high parameter uncertainties. In this context, the present manuscript originally applies a nonlinear reparameterized form of the Monod equation that allows the optimal experimental design for the Monod reparameterized equation (OED‐R) and improve the statistical quality of parameter estimation, which can lead to estimation of more precise and uncorrelated transformed model parameters with smaller number of experiments. Using nitrification as a case study, it is shown that OED‐R can be used to strategically select sampling times during critical phases of the kinetic trajectory, where the system sensitivity to parameter changes is at its peak. This approach can simultaneously enhance the precision and efficiency of experiments by reducing the number of required samples and minimizing parameter uncertainties and correlation during estimation.