A kinetic model for Escherichia coli growth and acetate formation is presented. Stoichiometric and energy balances reduce the number of kinetic equations to estimate. The formulation results in linear relations which establish the dependence of glucose consumption rate and acetate consumption rate with the independent rates, biomass and acetate formation rate. The proposed model has been used to simulate batch cultures with initial glucose concentrations between 1 and 19 g/liter, continuous cultures with two different feed concentrations (2 and 5 g/liter) and dilution rates between 0.1 and 1 h(-1), and experimental results from other authors. Only one set of parameters obtained in an individual and independent way has been used. The accuracy of the simulations allows a description of the complex interaction between substrate, microorganism and acetate which is a product and also a carbon source. The general criterions followed in this work could be a reference in kinetic studies where design and scale up are the main aim.