Enhancing Butanol Production: Novel Clostridia Platform for CoFermentation of Non-Detoxified Switchgrass Hydrolysate and CO2

2024 USDA-NIFA Competitive Research Support Award

Principal Investigators and affiliations:

• PI: Dr. Hasan Atiyeh, Oklahoma State University
• Graduate Student: Manoj Gyawali
• Funded: $53,400
• Start Date: 7/1/2024
• End Date: 6/30/2025

Project Goal

To enhance butanol yield and reduce carbon emissions by developing a co-fermentation system for non-detoxified switchgrass hydrolysate and gases using improved lignocellulosic biomass-derived microbial inhibitory compounds (LDMICs)-tolerant Clostridium strains.

Objectives

1. Develop substrate formulation and process strategies for butanol production from non-detoxified switchgrass hydrolysate and CO2:H2, utilizing LDMICs tolerant strains and inhibitor-tolerant butanologenic strains.
2. Optimize butanol fermentation in two-stage continuous stirred tank reactors and co-culture experiments with engineered Clostridium strains, using switchgrass hydrolysate and CO2:H2 as feedstocks.

Expected Project Outcomes

Researchers aim to develop a two-stage and co-culture fermentations using LDMICs tolerant Clostridium strains to maximize butanol titer and productivity.