Butanol production technology receives USDA grant

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded biotechnology company Microvi Biotechnologies a grant to develop its breakthrough technology that improves the yield and performance of biobutanol processes.

Microvi claims its MicroNiche technology overcomes the toxic and inhibitory effects on butanol producing microorganisms, a ‘major bottleneck in scaling existing biobutanol processes’.

‘A diversified energy future based on biobutanol and other low-cost biofuels requires new technologies,’ says Microvi director of reseaerch Ameen Razavi. ‘We open a new paradigm for managing toxic stresses for biobutanol production leading to economical production.’

Bioutanol, as a fuel or petrol additive, has many advantages over ethanol including drop-in capability, higher energy content and better transport and handling properties.  It can also be used as a building block for chemicals and polymers.