A mathematical model of batch anaerobic digestion of glucose has been developed. The model includes Jive bacterial steps (acidogenesis, ethanol-degrading acetogenesis, butyrate-degrading acetogenesis, acetoclastic methanogenesis and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis), bacterial decay, description of the reactor pH, and various inhibitions of the bacterial steps. The values of parameters of the model have been found satisfactorily describing the experimental regularities. The numerical experiments have revealed and described the principle regulating factors of glucose methanogenesis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.