STTR Phase I: Integration of carbohydrate and gaseous fermentations for maximum C4 chemical yield

这个小企业技术转移研究第一阶段项目旨在通过混合营养发酵提高四种碳（C4）化学品的发酵产量。为了实现商品化工和生物燃料生产中最具成本效益的发酵，该过程应实现原料的最大转化。在碳水化合物发酵过程中，通常会产生CO2和H2，这对所需产物的产量产生负面影响。我们假设混合营养发酵可以弥补产量损失。我们将混合营养发酵定义为有机和无机底物的同时消耗。混合营养发酵对产量的提高是非常显著的。此外，理论上某些梭状菌可以进行这样的发酵，但对这方面的了解相对较少。此外，操纵这些微生物的遗传工具还不发达。因此，第一阶段STTR将为这些微生物开发一个遗传工具箱，研究它们同时利用碳水化合物和气体的底物的能力，并展示混合营养发酵产生C4化学物质的潜力。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发更便宜、更环保和更可持续的可再生和国内化学生产和运输燃料技术。项目成果，是否有潜力提高产品产量10 ？50%，大大降低了生产经营费用。在发酵中利用二氧化碳的潜力，最大限度地减少了过程中的碳足迹。最后，由于可以同时使用多种原料，如复合碳水化合物、五碳和六碳糖单体、生物柴油废物、水解生物质、合成气、废气和活性甲烷分子，因此提高了工艺的可持续性。总体而言，该项目具有改善许多化工公司三重底线的商业潜力。此外，该项目可以显著提高对气体和碳水化合物发酵过程中微生物生理和代谢的科学和技术认识。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research Phase I project aims to enhance fermentation yield of four carbon (C4) chemicals by instating mixotrophic fermentation. In order to realize the most cost effective fermentation for commodity chemical and biofuel production, the process should achieve maximum conversion of feedstock. In carbohydrate fermentations, CO2 and H2 are commonly evolved, which negatively impacts yield of desired products. We hypothesize that mixotrophic fermentation can recapture that yield loss. We define mixotrophic fermentation as the simultaneous consumption of organic and inorganic substrates. Improvements in yield from mixotrophic fermentation can be very significant. Moreover, certain clostridial organisms in theory can perform such fermentation, but relatively little is known about this. Moreover, the genetic tools to manipulate these microorganisms are underdeveloped. Consequently, this Phase I STTR will develop a genetic toolbox for these microorganisms, interrogate their ability for simultaneous substrate utilization of both carbohydrate and gas, and demonstrate the potential to produce C4 chemicals from mixotrophic fermentation.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to develop renewable and domestic chemical production and transportation fuel technologies that are cheaper, greener and more sustainable. Project outcomes, have the potential to increase product yield 10 ? 50%, which greatly reduces production-operating expense. The potential to utilize CO2 in the fermentation, minimizes the carbon footprint of the process. Lastly, process sustainability is enhanced since a greater diversity of feedstocks can be concurrently used such as complex carbohydrates, five and six carbon sugar monomers, biodiesel waste, hydrolyzed biomass, syngas, waste gas, and activated methane molecules. Overall, the project has the commercial potential to improve the triple bottom line of many chemical companies. Furthermore, this project could significantly enhance scientific and technological understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism during gas and carbohydrate fermentation.