ARS | Publication request: Bio-Butanol - a Superior Fuel for Tomorrow: Use of Agricultural Residues As Economically Novel Substrates

Submitted to: Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: May 2, 2007
Publication Date: May 2, 2007
Citation: Ezeji, T.C., Qureshi, N., Blaschek, H.P. 2007. Bio-butanol - a superior fuel for tomorrow: use of agricultural residues as economically novel substrates [abstract]. Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. Paper No. 6-23.

Technical Abstract: A detailed description of the utilization of representative mixed sugar streams (pentoses and hexoses) of lignocellulosic hydrolysates and their sugar preferences by the solventogenic clostridia will be presented. Prior work in our laboratory has demonstrated the importance of the fermentation substrate on the cost of bio-butanol. Because of the impact on butanol price, we examined the use of agricultural residues and fiber rich co-products produced during ethanol production such as corn fiber and distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) as potential substrates for bio-butanol production by the solventogenic clostridia. Pretreatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass using either dilute acid, hot water, or ammonium fiber explosion (AFEX) results in a complex mixture of sugars such as hexoses (glucose, galactose, mannose) and pentoses (xylose, arabinose). However, unwanted compounds such as salts, furfural, hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), acetic, ferulic, glucuronic, p-coumaric acids, and phenolic compounds are also produced. Details on the effect of these compounds on butanol fermentation and probable mode of inhibition on the solventogenic clostridia will also be presented.