Algae Fermentation to 2,3-Butanediol by Enterobacter cloacae

2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), a valuable chemical feedstock with numerous industrial applications, ranging from polymers to hydrocarbon fuels. 2,3-BD can be readily converted to butenes, butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone that are used in the production of hydrocarbon fuels and various chemical compounds including 1,3-butadiene, diacetyl, and methyl ethyl ketone. These chemicals are widely used in fibers, engineering plastics, medicines, cosmetics, artificial leather, pesticides, plasticizers, hardener, solvent and rust remover, etc. We have previously conducted 2,3-BD production using Enterobacter cloacae NRRL B-23289, a natural producer of 2,3-BD isolated from decaying wood/corn soil samples by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (Peoria, IL), from different ketose and aldose sugars (xylulose, fructose, xylose and glucose). Micro-algae are photosynthetic microorganisms that also accumulate storage carbohydrates, such as starch, that are more easily hydrolysable than structural carbohydrates of terrestrial plants. Microalgae can also be grown on marginal lands using waste nutrients such that their production does not compete with food. Based on these advantages, carbohydrate accumulating microalgae have the potential to serve as alternative feedstocks to lignocellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels and chemicals. In this study, we are investigating the feasibility of utilizing micro-algae as a feedstock for the fermentative production of 2,3-BD with respect to feedstock utilization and product yield.