Solventogenesis
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Solventogenesis is the biochemical production of solvents (usually acetone and butanol) by Clostridium species.[1] It is the second phase of ABE fermentation.[2]
Solventogenic Clostridium species have a biphasic metabolism composed of an acidogenic phase and a solventogenic phase. During acidogenesis, these bacteria are able to convert several carbon sources into organic acids, commonly butyrate and acetate.[2] As acid accumulates, cells begin to assimilate the organic acids into solvents. In Clostridium acetobutylicum, a model solventogenic Clostridium species, a combination of low pH and high undisociated butyrate, referred to as the "pH-acid effect", triggers the metabolic shift from acidogenesis to solventogenesis.[3]