Development and Optimization of the Biological Conversion of Ethane to Ethanol Using Whole-Cell Methanotrophs Possessing Methane Monooxygenase.

ABSTRACT

The biological production of ethanol from ethane for the utilization of ethane in natural gas was investigated under ambient conditions using whole-cell methanotrophs possessing methane monooxygenase. Several independent variables including ethane concentration and biocatalyst amounts, among other factors, were optimized for the enhancement of ethane-to-ethanol bioconversion. We obtained 0.4 g/L/h of volumetric productivity and 0.52 g/L of maximum titer in optimum batch reaction conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that the biological gas-to-liquid conversion of ethane to ethanol has potent technical feasibility as a new application of ethane gas.