Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Role of chemotaxis in solvent production by Clostridium acetobutylicum

Journal Article · · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5813636

The motility of Clostridium acetobutylicum has been investigated during a typical batch fermentation process for solvent production. The motility is characterized by runs during the early phase of sugar utilization and acid production, but this changes to tumbles during the onset of solventogenesis. Sugars and undissociated acetic and butyric acids have been shown to be attractants for the bacterium, while acetone, butanol, ethanol, and dissociated acetate and butyrate are repellents. It is suggested that chemotactic responses explain why highly motile cells are strongly solventogenic.

Research Organization:
Massey Univ., Palmerston North, New Zealand
OSTI ID:
5813636
Journal Information:
Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:8; ISSN AEMID
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English