Specific growth rate

Specific growth rate is defined as the increase in cell mass per unit cell mass per unit time. For example, grams cells (g) per gram cells (g) per hour: (g•g-1•h-1). The specific growth rate is commonly given by the symbol, µ (mu), and the most common units are in reciprocal hours (h-1); however, it can also be expressed in seconds (s) or minutes (m) or any other units of time.

specific growth rate = K' = Ln (N2 / N1) / (t2 - t1) Where N1 and N2 = biomass at time1 (t1) and time2 (t2) respectively; Levasseur et al (1993).