The biodegradation process of high catechol concentrations by Aspergillus awamori was investigated. The values of the kinetic constants for a model of specific growth rate at different initial conditions were determined. At 1.0 g/L catechol concentration, the biodegradation process proceeded in the conditions of substrate limitation. At higher catechol concentrations (2.0 and 3.0 g/L) a presence of substrate inhibition was established. The dynamics of the specific catechol degradation rate was studied and the values of catechol and biomass concentrations, maximizing the specific catechol degradation rate, were estimated analytically. The specified ratio catechol/biomass could serve as a starting base for determination of the initial conditions for a batch process, for specifying the moment of feeding for a fed-batch process, and for monitoring and control of a continuous process by the aim of time-optimal control. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.