Effect of cellulosic sugar degradation products (furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural) on acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation using Clostridium beijerinckii P260

Studies were performed to identify chemical compounds present in wheat straw hydrolysate (WSH) that enhance acetone butanol ethanol (ABE) productivity. These compounds were identified as furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF). Control experiment resulted in the production of 21.38 g L−1 ABE with a productivity of 0.30 g L−1 h−1. WSH contained 0.04–0.34 g L−1 furfural and 0.12–0.88 g L−1 HMF. Addition of furfural to the fermentation medium at a concentration of 0.50 g L−1 resulted in a productivity of 0.88 g L−1 h−1 which is 293% of the productivity obtained in control experiments. Supplementation with 1.00 g L−1 HMF into the fermentation medium produced 25.27 g L−1 ABE with a productivity of 0.68 g L−1 h−1. A combination of furfural (0.50 g L−1) and HMF (0.50 g L−1) also enhanced ABE production and productivity when added to the fermentation medium. Both furfural and HMF enhanced specific productivity (233–308%) of ABE. In brief, WSH contained an adequate concentration of furfural and HMF that enhanced ABE productivity, specific productivity, and product concentration.

► Butanol is a superior biofuel than ethanol.
► Chemicals present in wheat straw hydrolysate enhance butanol productivity.
► These chemicals are furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural.
► Butanol (ABE) productivity was improved 234–303%.