Biological production of chemical feedstocks from synthesis gas

Anaerobic fermentations of CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/ have been of interest since the turn of the century and most of the work has focused on methanogenesis. Very little work has been done on the synthesis of compounds with more than 2 carbon atoms. The objective of this work is to explore the synthesis of aliphatic acids from CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/. Three approaches to the microbial production of short chain fatty acids are discussed: the direct approach, the 2 step approach, and the mixed substrate approach. (DMC)