Butanediol fermentation
Encyclopedia
2,3-Butanediol fermentation is anaerobic fermentation
Fermentation (biochemistry)
Fermentation is the process of extracting energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, using an endogenous electron acceptor, which is usually an organic compound. In contrast, respiration is where electrons are donated to an exogenous electron acceptor, such as oxygen,...

 of glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...

 with 2,3-butanediol
2,3-Butanediol
2,3-Butanediol is a chemical compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Its formula is C4H10O2. It is one of the constitutional isomers of butanediol....

 as one of the end products. The overall stoichiometry of the reaction is
2 pyruvate + NADH --> 2CO2
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

 + 2,3-butanediol.

Butanediol fermentation is typical for Enterobacter
Enterobacter
Enterobacter is a genus of common Gram-negative, facultatively-anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Several strains of the these bacteria are pathogenic and cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts and in those who are on mechanical ventilation...

and is tested for using the Voges–Proskauer (VP) test.

The metabolic function of 2,3-butanediol is not known.

Comparison with mixed acid fermentation

2,3-butanediol fermentation produces smaller amounts of acid than mixed acid fermentation
Mixed acid fermentation
Mixed acid fermentation is an anaerobic fermentation where the products are a complex mixture of acids, particularly lactate, acetate, succinate and formate as well as ethanol and equal amounts of H2 and CO2. It is characteristic for members of the Enterobacteriaceae family.-External links:*...

, and butanediol, ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...

, CO2
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

 and H2 are the end products. While equal amounts of CO2 and H2 are created during mixed acid fermentation, butanediol fermentation produces more than twice the amount of CO2 because the gases are not produced only by formate hydrogen lyase like they are in the mixed acid fermentation

Links

  • http://biocyc.org/META/new-image?type=PATHWAY&object=P125-PWY
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