초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Butyric acid is an important platform chemical, which is widely used in the fields of food, pharmaceutical, energy, etc. Microbial fermentation as an alternative approach for butyric acid production is attracting great attention as it is an environmentally friendly bioprocessing. However, traditional fermentative butyric acid production is still not economically competitive compared to chemical synthesis route, due to the low titer, low productivity, and high production cost. Therefore, reduction of butyric acid production cost by utilization of alternative inexpensive feedstock, and improvement of butyric acid production and productivity has become an important target. Recently, several advanced strategies have been developed for enhanced butyric acid production, including bioprocess techniques and metabolic engineering methods. This review provides an overview of advances and strategies in process and strain engineering for butyric acid production by microbial fermentation. Additionally, future perspectives on improvement of butyric acid production are also proposed.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Fermentative butyric acid production is an environmentally friendly process. </LI> <LI> Feedstocks are primarily sugars but lignocellulose is a better long-term candidate. </LI> <LI> Cell immobilized fermentation in the FBB increases butyric acid productivity. </LI> <LI> Engineered <I>C. tyrobutyricum</I> capable of co-utilization of xylose and glucose. </LI> <LI> Increasing butyric acid selectivity is important for process economic performance. </LI> </UL> </P>