초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Seaweed represents an abundant, renewable, and fast-growing biomass resource for 3rd generation biofuel production. This study reports an efficient butanol fermentation process carried out by <I>Clostridium beijerinckii</I> DSM-6422 using enzymatic hydrolysate of the sugar-rich brown seaweed <I>Laminaria digitata</I> harvested from the coast of the Danish North Sea as substrate. The highest butanol yield (0.42g/g-consumed-substrates) compared to literature was achieved, with a significantly higher butanol:acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) molar ratio (0.85) than typical (0.6). This demonstrates the possibility of using the seaweed <I>L. digitata</I> as a potential biomass for butanol production. For the first time, consumption of alginate components was observed by <I>C. beijerinckii</I> DSM-6422. The efficient utilization of sugars and lactic acid further highlighted the potential of using this strain for future development of large-scale cost-effective butanol production based on (ensiled) seaweed.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> High butanol yield of 0.42g/g achieved by fermentation of <I>L. digitata</I> hydrolysate. </LI> <LI> Final butanol concentration of 7.16g/L achieved by batch fermentation. </LI> <LI> High molar ratio of butanol to acetone-butanol-ethanol (0.85) achieved. </LI> <LI> Consumption of lactic acid, mannuronic acid and guluronic acid observed. </LI> </UL> </P>