Improved fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates to 2,3-butanediol through investigation of effects of inhibitory compounds by Enterobacter aerogenes

Enterobacter aerogenes has received worldwide attention for the production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) from lignocellulosic biomass because various carbon sources can be used and they are not pathogenic. This work investigated the effect of inhibitory materials derived from the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass on the production of 2,3-BDO via the fermentation of various biomasses and identified efficient lignocellulosic biomass as a promising alternative material source to petroleum. In the results, the production of 2,3-BDO was increased up to 12.89 g/L at 12 g/L of acetic acid in glucose fermentation condition and up to 12.56 g/L at 9 g/L of acetic acid in xylose fermentation condition. However, the cell growth was slightly decreased by acetic acid addition. The formic acid, furans, and phenolic compounds influenced negative effects on the production of 2,3-BDO and cell growth by addition of the substances. The fermentation yield of 2,3-BDO from the three hydrolysates was investigated as 14.27 g/L, 12.44 g/L, and 10.24 g/L for yellow poplar, larix, and rice hull hydrolysates, respectively.