Isolation and characterization of novel clostridial species

Abstract

A novel clostridia bacterial species ( Clostridium ragsdalei, ATCC BAA-622/PTA-7826, “P11”) is provided. P11 is capable of synthesizing, from waste gases, products which are useful as biofuel. In particular, P11 can convert CO to ethanol. Thus, this novel bacterium transforms waste gases (e.g. syngas and refinery wastes) into useful products. P11 also catalyzes the production of acetate.

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       4 . A method of producing ethanol, comprising the step of
 combining a source of CO and  Clostridium ragsdalei  having all of the identifying characteristics of American Type Culture Collection No. PTA-7826 under conditions which allow said  Clostridium ragsdalei  to convert CO to ethanol.   
   
   
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