2,3-Butanediol fermentation is anaerobic fermentation of glucose with 2,3-Butanediol as one of the end products. The overall stoichiometry of the reaction is 2 pyruvate + NADH --> 2CO₂ + butanediol. Butanediol fermentation is typical for Enterobacter and is tested for using the Voges-Proskauer (VP) test.

The metabolic function of 2,3-butanediol is not known.

Comparison with Mixed Acid fermentation

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2,3-butanediol fermentation produces smaller amounts of acid are than mixed acid fermentation, and butanediol, ethanol, CO₂ and H₂ are the end products. While equal amounts of CO₂ and H₂ are created during mixed acid fermentation, butanediol fermentation produces more than twice the amount of CO₂ because the gases are not produced only by formate hydrogen lyase like they are in the mixed acid fermentation

References

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• M.Madigan & J. Martinko, 11th edition, (2006) Brock's Biology of Microorganisms, NJ, Pearson Prentice Hall, (p. 351-355)

Links

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http://biocyc.org/META/new-image?type=PATHWAY&object=P125-PWY