Chain Elongation with Reactor Microbiomes: Open-Culture Biotechnology To Produce Biochemicals

Chain elongation into medium-chain carboxylates, such as n-caproate and n-caprylate, with ethanol as an electron donor and with open cultures of microbial consortia (i.e., reactor microbiomes) under anaerobic conditions is being developed as a biotechnological production platform. The goal is to use the high thermodynamic efficiency of anaerobic fermentation to convert organic biomass or organic wastes into valuable biochemicals that can be extracted. Several liter-scale studies have been completed and a first pilot-plant study is underway. However, the underlying microbial pathways are not always well understood. In addition, an interdisciplinary approach with knowledge from fields ranging from microbiology…

• UE
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  Award: FP-91763801-0
• BF
  BE-Basic Foundation
• NI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture

  Award: NYC-123452
• WU
  Wageningen University and Research
• DO
  Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems

  Award: 1336186
• AR
  Army Research Office

  Award: W911NF-12-1-0555
• AR
  Army Research Laboratory