The group around TAO Yong has used a unique microbiome that metabolizes lactate rather than ethanol for the production of n-caproate production. The microbial community was obtained from a fermentation pit used for the production of Chinese strong-flavour liquor (CSFL) and consisted to > 70 % of Clostridia. This microbiome was able to produce n-caproate at concentrations as high as 23.41 g/L at a maximum rate of 2.97 g/L/d in batch culture without in-line extraction

CAS news release, October 8, 2015