Author
 |
SAHA, BADAL |
|
BOTHAST, RODNEY |
|
Submitted to: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The efficient biological conversion of all the available sugars in agricultural residues to fuels and chemicals is crucial to the efficiency of any fermentation process intended to compete economically with petroleum derived products. 2,3-butanediol is a valuable chemical feedstock because of its application as solvent, liquid fuel, and precursor of many synthetic cpolymers and resins. We have isolated a bacterium from local soil that produces a good yield of butanediol from multiple mixed sugar substrates. This newly isolated bacterial strain may be appropriate for developing the commercial production of butanediol from corn fiber and waste agriculture residues. Technical Abstract: Enterobacter cloacae NRRL B-23289 was isolated from local decaying wood/corn soil samples while screening for microorganisms for conversion of L-arabinose to fuel ethanol. The major product of fermentation by the bacterium was meso-2,3-butanediol. In a typical fermentation, a butanediol yield of 0.4 g/g was obtained with a corresponding productivity of 0.63 g/L/h at an initial arabinose concentration of 50 g/L. The effects o initial arabinose concentration, temperature, pH, aeration, various monosaccharides, and multiple sugar mixtures on butanediol production were investigated. Butanediol productivity, yield, and by-product formation were influenced significantly with these parameters. The bacterium utilized sugars from acid and enzyme saccharified corn fiber and produced butanediol (0.35 g/g available sugars). It also produced butanediol from corn fiber acid hydrolyzate by the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (0.34 g/g theoretical sugars). |
