Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting an alkanoic acid and/or ester there of from an aqueous medium, the method comprising: (a) contacting the alkanoic acid and/or ester thereof in the aqueous medium with at least one extracting medium for a time sufficient to extract the alkanoic acid and/or ester thereof from the aqueous medium into the extracting medium, (b) separating the extracting medium with the extracted alkanoic acid and/or ester thereof from the aqueous medium wherein the extracting medium comprises: -a mixture of at least one alkyl-phosphine oxide, preferably Trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), and at least one alkane wherein the alkane comprises at least 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction mixture and a method of producing at least one higher alcohol comprising a reaction mixture comprising a mixed culture of a first and a second microorganism in an aqueous medium comprising carbon monoxide gas, wherein the first microorganism is an acetogenic microorganism capable of converting a carbon source to acetate and/or ethanol; and the second microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Clostridium kluyveri, and C. Carboxidivorans capable of converting the acetate and/or ethanol to form an acid; wherein the first microorganism is further capable of converting the acid to the corresponding higher alcohol and the higher alcohol comprises at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing propanol and/or propionic acid from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, the method comprising: (a) step of producing ethanol and/or acetate from the carbon source in aerobic conditions, comprising (i) contacting a reaction mixture comprising a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; free oxygen; and a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol; and (b) step of contacting the acetate and/or ethanol from step (a) with a third microorganism capable of converting the acetate and/or ethanol to propanol and/or propionic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing at least one amino acid from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, the method comprising: (a)step of producing ethanol and/or acetate from the carbon source in aerobic conditions, comprising (i)contacting a reaction mixture comprising—a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; —free oxygen; and —a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol; and (b)step of contacting the acetate and/or ethanol from step (a) with a third microorganism capable of converting the acetate and/or ethanol to at least one amino acid.

Abstract: A reaction mixture for producing ethanol and/or acetate from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, wherein the mixture comprises a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; free oxygen; and a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol.

Abstract: There is provided a mixed culture of a first and second microorganism in an aqueous medium, wherein the first microorganism is an acetogenic microorganism capable of converting a carbon source comprising CO and/or CO2 to acetate and/or ethanol, the second microorganism is a non-acetogenic microorganism capable of metabolising acetate and/or ethanol and the first and second microorganisms are in a homogenous mixture and wherein the aqueous medium comprises oxygen. There is also provided a method of producing substituted and/or unsubstituted organic compounds using the mixed culture.

Abstract: A reaction mixture for producing ethanol and/or acetate from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, wherein the mixture comprises a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; free oxygen; and a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction mixture and a method of producing at least one higher alcohol comprising a reaction mixture comprising a mixed culture of a first and a second microorganism in an aqueous medium comprising carbon monoxide gas, wherein the first microorganism is an acetogenic microorganism capable of converting a carbon source to acetate and/or ethanol; and the second microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Clostridium kluyveri, and C. Carboxidivorans capable of converting the acetate and/or ethanol to form an acid; wherein the first microorganism is further capable of converting the acid to the corresponding higher alcohol and the higher alcohol comprises at least 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of culturing at least one acetogenic bacteria, includes growing the bacteria in an aqueous medium comprising an amount of cysteine and/or cystine, wherein the cysteine and/or cystine concentration in the medium is maintained at a concentration of less than 0.20 g/L.