Methods and compositions for enhanced production of butanol by clostridia

A method for increasing the amount of butanol produced by Clostridium spp. in culture upon serial transfer, the method comprising:

• selecting a peptide on the basis of the peptide being capable of increasing the amount of butanol produced by Clostridium spp. by at least about 10%, wherein the peptide is a recombinant or chemical synthesized peptide of an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 143 or SEQ ID NO:
• 144;
• culturing Clostridium spp. in a medium containing a composition comprising the peptide, wherein the medium is capable of supporting the Clostridium spp.;
• and
• isolating at least about 10% more butanol from the culture than the maximum amount of butanol that can be isolated from an identical Clostridium spp. culture not containing the peptide.

A method for increasing the amount of butanol produced by Clostridium spp., in continuous culture, the method comprising:

• selecting a peptide on the basis of the peptide being capable of increasing the amount of butanol produced by Clostridium spp. by at least about 10%, wherein the peptide is a recombinant or chemical synthesized peptide of an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 143 or SEQ ID NO:
• 144;
• culturing Clostridium spp. in a medium containing a composition comprising the peptide, wherein the medium is capable of supporting the Clostridium spp.;
• and
• isolating at least about 10% more butanol from the culture than the maximum amount of butanol that can be isolated from an identical Clostridium spp. culture not containing the peptide.