Microbiological synthesis of methyl ethyl ketone

Abstract

Optimal conditions for the microbiological synthesis of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) on the mineral medium with butanol-1, butanol-2, 2-methylpropanol-2 by hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria Pseudomonas spp. were chosen. Optimal conditions for microbiological synthesis are liquid mineral Adkins' medium containing 3% (vol.) of the substrate, stirring speed-80-100 rev/min, temperature-37° C, and synthesis time 24-48 hours. The specific growth rate and time of culture generation during the microbial synthesis were determined. It was found that methyl ethyl ketone is formed in the reaction mixture after 8, 48 and 72 hours when using 2-methylpropanol-2, butanol-2, butanol-1 as substrates, respectively. Maximum methyl ethyl ketone yield in the reaction mixture is observed after 12 hours in the case of using 2-methylpropanol-2 as a carbon source and accounts for 10%.