INTRODUCTION
Due to a continuous depletion of
petroleum fuel reserves and increased
environmental concerns, fuels produced
from the fermentation of renewable
feedstock have become a global priority.
Ethanol has been recognized as an
alternative fuel because it can be produced
by microbial fermentation from starch and
sucrose [1]. Similarly, butanol can also be
utilized as a biofuel. Biobutanol, owing to
significant properties such as high energy
content, hydrophobicity, blending ability,
compatibility to combustion engines,
corrosion and octane rating, is increasingly
regarded as a renewable source of energy [2].
At present, butanol is produced