Reduction of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol in Klebsiella pneumoniae: a new model.

Fermentation of xylose by Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 8724, formerly known as Aerobacter aerogenes) carried out in our laboratory yields 2,3-butanediol as the major product. Experimental data obtained in this work cannot be explained by the model presently in the literature for the formation of 2,3-butanediol isomers from acetoin isomers. A new model is proposed with the existence of two acetoin reductases and an acetoin racemase. The two reductases were separated and their stereospecificity determined. Extension of the model of other microorganisms is discussed.