Production of 2,3-butanediol from wood hydrolysate byKlebsiella pneumoniae.

2,3-Butanediol was produced at 12g/l (27% w/w yield) from the reducing sugars in wood hydrolysate byKlebsiella pneumoniae NRRL B-199. Ethanol was present at 4 g/l and acetoin at 0.4 g/l. Optimum conditions for a 48 h fermentation were pH 6.0, 30°C and 50 g reducing sugars/l. Adding 1% (w/v) malt extract to the medium-enhanced butanedlol production to 13.3 g/l (yield 29%) without changing ethanol production.