 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
New biofuels source is discovered
Austin, Texas, April 23, 2008 U.S. scientists said they have created a microbe that produces cellulous, which, in turn, can be transformed into ethanol and other biofuels. The University of Texas researchers said the microbe could provide a significant portion of the nation's transportation fuel if production can be improved. Along with cellulose, the cyanobacteria developed by Professor R. Malcolm Brown Jr. and researcher David Nobles Jr. secrete glucose and sucrose -- simple sugars that are the major sources used to produce ethanol, the scientists said. Brown and Nobles say their cyanobacteria can be grown in production facilities on non-agricultural lands using salty water that's unsuitable for human consumption or crops. Nobles said the cyanobacteria -- also known as blue-green algae -- were created by giving them a set of cellulose-making genes from a non-photosynthetic "vinegar" bacterium, Acetobacter xylinum, well known as a prolific cellulose producer. The new cyanobacteria produce a relatively pure, gel-like form of cellulose that can be broken down easily into glucose. "The huge expense in making cellulosic ethanol and biofuels is in using enzymes and mechanical methods to break cellulose down," said Nobles. "Using the cyanobacteria escapes these expensive processes." The research recently appeared in the journal Cellulose. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
Thai PM lashes out at World Bank over biofuel criticism
Bangkok (AFP) April 22, 2008Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday lashed out at the World Bank and UN for criticising biofuel producing nations for soaring food prices while sparing oil exporters. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
