Bacterial Bioconversion of Primary Aliphatic and Aromatic Alcohols into Acids: Effects of Molecular Structure and Physico-chemical Conditions

The biotransformation of four alcohol substrates (butanol, 2-methylbutanol, 3-methylbutanol and 2-phenylethanol) into their acids was studied using a strain of Acetobacter aceti. Bioconversion yields depended on the molecular structure of the alcohol. Biotransformation of high concentrations of alcohols was possible until the precursor reached an inhibiting concentration (3.8 g dm -3 for butanol and 3-methylbutanol, 4.2 g dm -3 for 2-methylbutanol). In contrast, biotransformation of 2-phenylethanol decreased when alcohol concentration was higher than 0.3 g dm -3 . Dissolved oxygen concentrations and pH conditions of the medium were important factors in improving bioconversion. Transformatio…