Research progress in production of 2,3-butanediol by fermentation

The progress in the production of 2,3-butanediol from the bioconversion of renewable biomass resources by some bacterial species is discussed, including microbe strains, substrates, fermentation process and downstream recovery process. The problems with the process of 2,3-butanediol fermentation are discussed. It is pointed out that the research emphasis should be placed on screening ideal microbe strains, understanding the kinetic behavior of different enzymes involved in the biochemical pathway, using the mathematic tools to optimize the fermentation process, and exploiting the potential function of its derivates.