Chapter 8, Problem 51SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

The possible steps by which Clostridium acetobutylicum is capable of producing butyl alcohols, in contrast to the production of ethanol by yeast.

Introduction:

Pyruvate is one of the metabolic products produced at the end of glycolysis. It is converted to ethanol, lactic acid, or carbon dioxide and water under different situations. Under anaerobic conditions, pyruvate is able to generate only two molecules of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Certain microbe, such as C. acetobutylicum, are able to generate butanol as a waste product during the oxidation of pyruvate.