New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Microbial Savings: Lower-cost Production Of Ethanol From Biomass Sources

Date:
January 19, 2007
Source:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Summary:
A tiny microbe may hold the key to simpler, lower-cost production of ethanol from biomass sources such as trees, grasses and cornstalks. Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are studying a bacterium known as Clostridium thermocellum, which has the ability to both degrade cellulose -- cellulose makes up the cell walls of plants -- into sugars and then ferment these sugars into alcohol, or ethanol.
Share:
FULL STORY

A tiny microbe may hold the key to simpler, lower-cost production of ethanol from biomass sources such as trees, grasses and cornstalks.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are studying a bacterium known as Clostridium thermocellum, which has the ability to both degrade cellulose -- cellulose makes up the cell walls of plants -- into sugars and then ferment these sugars into alcohol, or ethanol.

Today's production methods involve a costly, multi-step, enzyme-and-yeast-based process that would price the fuel at more than $2.20 per gallon.

A group of ORNL researchers headed by Jonathan Mielenz is studying gene expression in this microbe to determine how these enzymatic functions are performed, revealing strategies for further reducing the cost of ethanol production. Within five years, researchers hope to demonstrate their process enhancements on an industrial scale.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "Microbial Savings: Lower-cost Production Of Ethanol From Biomass Sources." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 January 2007. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070118163245.htm>.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (2007, January 19). Microbial Savings: Lower-cost Production Of Ethanol From Biomass Sources. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070118163245.htm
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "Microbial Savings: Lower-cost Production Of Ethanol From Biomass Sources." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070118163245.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES