A sample of a biological culture is submitted to a chemical laboratory for analysis of the percentage by weight of each major element present in the organic portion. The laboratory evaporates the sample to dryness and then places it in an oven overnight at 150°C to drive off all water present. The organic portion of the residue remaining is then analyzed, after which the sample is burned in a Muffle furnace at 550°C to determine the weight of the ash remaining. The ash contains the phosphorus, sulfur, iron, and other inorganic elements present in the sample. The composition of the cells by weight is found to be 47.5% C. 5.2% H. 25.2% 0. 9.4% N. and 10.6% ash. Prepare an empirical formula for the cells, letting e=1, and determine the COD /organic weight ratio for the cells.