Formation of ethanol from carbon monoxide via a new microbial catalyst

TLDR: A recently discovered clostridial bacteria converts components of synthesis gas (CO, CO 2, H 2 ) into liquid products such as ethanol, butanol, and acetic acid as discussed by the authors.

Abstract: A recently discovered clostridial bacteria converts components of synthesis gas (CO, CO 2 , H 2 ) into liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and acetic acid Isolated from an agricultural lagoon, the stability and productivity characteristics of the bacteria were studied in a continuous 45 l bubble column bioreactor at 37°C using artificial blends of CO, CO 2 , and N 2 Preliminary results on the rates of cell growth, substrate utilization, product formation, and yields of products and cells from CO are discussed At steady state, apparent yields (mole C in products per mole CO consumed) of ethanol, butanol, and acetic acid were 015, 0075 and 0025, respectively, and the cell yield was 025 g / mol CO The theoretical yield of ethanol is 033 if CO is only utilized for the production of ethanol The experimental yield of CO 2 from CO was approximately 60% compared to the theoretical yield of 67% with ethanol as the sole product As a comparison with another ethanol-producing bacteria, the results of a similar fermentation study using batch-grown Clostridium ljungdahlii showed yields of 0062 for ethanol and 0094 for acetic acid and a cell yield of 1378 g / mol