New Enzyme Discovery Could Make Ethanol Cheaper
New Enzyme Discovery Could Make Ethanol Cheaper
A new plant enzyme has been discovered by Cornell University researchers, which could make the production of cellulosic ethanol less expensive.
A critical step in producing cellulosic ethanol involves breaking down a plant's cell wall material and fermenting the sugars that are released. This enzyme, according to scientists, could potentially allow plant materials to be broken down more efficiently.
The new class of plant enzymes has a structure similar to the microbial enzymes called "cellulases" which are used to digest the cellulose in grasses and similar plants.
While the scientists found the new enzyme in a tomato plant, they are confident that such proteins are present in other plant species that could be used for biofuel production.
A new plant enzyme has been discovered by Cornell University researchers, which could make the production of cellulosic ethanol less expensive.
A critical step in producing cellulosic ethanol involves breaking down a plant's cell wall material and fermenting the sugars that are released. This enzyme, according to scientists, could potentially allow plant materials to be broken down more efficiently.
The new class of plant enzymes has a structure similar to the microbial enzymes called "cellulases" which are used to digest the cellulose in grasses and similar plants.
While the scientists found the new enzyme in a tomato plant, they are confident that such proteins are present in other plant species that could be used for biofuel production.
Labels: cellulose, ethanol, research
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