Microbial conversion of synthesis gas components to useful fuels and chemicals

Enriched culture techniques have been used to isolate microbial cultures exhibiting growth on synthesis gas components. Three rod-shaped, gram-positive cultures have been isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil, a cow manure-soil mixture, and sheep rumen fluid. Each culture exhibits growth on carbon monoxide as its primary carbon source, producing alcohols and acids in the fermentation medium. Quantities of up to 7.5, 0.58, and 0.25 g/L of acetate, ethanol, and methanol, respectively, have been produced in batch culture with lesser amounts of acetone, butyric, and propionic acid detected.