ARS | Publication request: Bioproduction of Butanol from Biomass: from Genes to Bioreactors

Submitted to: Current Opinion in Biotechnology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: February 21, 2007
Publication Date: April 25, 2007
Citation: Ezeji, T.C., Qureshi, N., Blaschek, H.P. 2007. Bioproduction of butanol from biomass: from genes to bioreactors. Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 18:220-227.

Technical Abstract: Butanol is produced chemically using either the oxo process starting from propylene (with H2 and CO over rhodium catalyst) or the aldol process starting from acetaldehyde. Recent interest in the production of bio-butanol from biomass has resulted in examination of the versatility of the acetone-butanol (AB) fermentation. The principal problem associated with the AB fermentation by solventogenic clostridia is the cost of substrate and butanol toxicity/inhibition to the culture. Various strategies have been developed to utilize alternative substrates for butanol fermentation and to solve the problem of butanol toxicity. This article reviews recent approaches for utilizing biomass for bio-butanol production, including strategies for reducing or eliminating butanol toxicity to the culture, as well as for manipulating the fermenting microorganisms to achieve better product specificity and yield.