Methanol bioconversion by Butyribacterium methylotrophicum--batch fermentation yield and kinetics

Butyribacterium methylotrophicum is an anaerobic bacterium that can convert methanol to butyrate. This ability to produce longer-chain carbon compounds from C(1) substrates could be of commercial significance. The fermentation rates and product formation depend on the methanol/bicarbonate ratios during fermentation. The kinetics of batch fermentation fit the Luedeking-Piret model with growth and maintenance associated product formation. Butyrate yield of 0.256 mol/mol methanol (ca. 85% of theoretical yield) has been obtained in batch fermentation.