acetoin23butanediol

Acetoin23butanediol, also known as acetoin butanediol or acetoin-2,3-butanediol, is a chemical compound that can be formed through the biological reduction of acetoin. Acetoin itself is a volatile organic compound with a buttery aroma, often produced during the fermentation of sugars by various microorganisms, particularly bacteria like lactic acid bacteria. The conversion of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol involves the addition of hydrogen. This reduction process typically occurs under anaerobic or microaerobic conditions. 2,3-Butanediol exists as three stereoisomers: (2R,3R)-2,3-butanediol, (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediol, and the meso form (2R,3S)-2,3-butanediol. The specific isomer or mixture of isomers formed from acetoin depends on the enzymatic machinery of the microorganisms involved. This compound and its precursors are of interest in industrial biotechnology for potential applications as biofuels, solvents, and chemical intermediates due to their renewable origin and potential for sustainable production. Research continues to explore efficient microbial strains and optimized fermentation processes for the production of 2,3-butanediol from various biomass sources.