Production of 2-Hydroxybutyric Acid from 1, 2-Butanediol by Resting Cells of Rhodococcus sp. Strain TB-42

Abstract

Various microorganisms were screened for their ability to produce 2-hydroxybutyric acid (2-HBA) from 1, 2-butanediol (1, 2-BD). Strain TB-42, which was newly isolated from a soil sample, was selected as the best strain. From taxonomical studies, the strain was concluded to belong to the genus Rhodococcus. The effects of various carbon sources of the culture medium on the 2-HBA production from 1, 2-BD by the resting cells of this strain were tested. The addition of ethanol as a carbon source in the growing medium was found to be most effective. The resting cells of the strain grown on the ethanol as the carbon source yielded 16.7mg/ml of 2-HBA from 1, 2-BD for 12h incubation at 35°C in the reaction mixture under optimal conditions (20mg/ml of 1, 2-BD and 2% of CaCO₃).