Acetone-butanol fermentation was industrialized for supply of raw materials of smokeless powder and fighter planes. Presently, acetone and butanol are synthesized in petroleum industry. Biofuels, renewable gasoline or diesel additives are now paid much attention throughout the world. Butanol can be added to both gasoline and diesel fuels and has more affinity for gasoline than ethanol. Therefore, butanol will be promising biofuel.

Further information

Crabbe, E.; N-Hipolito, C.; Kobayashi, G.; Sonomoto, K.; Ishizaki, A., Biodiesel production from crude palm oil and evaluation of butanal extraction and feel properties, Process Biochim., 37, 65-71 (2001) Ishizaki, A.; Michiwaki S.; Crabbe, E.; Kobayashi, G.; Sonomoto, K.; Yoshino, S., Extractive acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation using methylated crude palm oil as extractant in batch culture of Clostridium saccharoperbutyl acetonicum N1-4 (ATCC13564), J. Biosci, Bioeng., 87, 352-356 (1999)

Lee, T M.; Ishizaki, A.; Yoshino, S.; Furukawa, K., Production of aceton, butanol and ethanol from palm oil waste by N1-4, Biotechnol. Letters, 17, 649-654(1995)