Termites Could Eat into Oil's Bottom Line

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46014

In order to make the economic production of cellulosic ethanol viable and cost-effective, the discovery of new enzymes must be found in order to convert agricultural biomass to clean burning fuel. Surprisingly, one rich source of these enzymes has been found in the digestive tracts of termites.

These household pests can convert 95% of what they consume into energy within 24 hours. However, it's not the termites themselves that are doing this remarkable transformation, rather the bacteria and protozoa that inhabit their digestive tracts. These microbes naturally generate a broad range of enzymes that convert the cellulosic materials into fermentable sugars.

In the past, the U.S. has focused primarily on the production of biofuels by relying on the conversion of cornstarch into fuel ethanol. However, there has been a recent dialogue regarding the amount of corn that can be used without creating imbalances with other major industries or impacting food supplies. Additionally, it is estimated that in 2006, the U.S. will only produce between 5 billion and 15 billion gallons of ethanol from corn, which will represent less than 10% of total transportation fuels at that time.

To meet this demand for ethanol, sources other than those also serving as a food supply are needed to produce alternative fuel. The most underutilized energy asset on the planet is cellulosic biomass; cellulose-containing natural waste products are widely abundant and can be sustainably produced.

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[HereSince1628]

1. Bring on the cellulase!!

[kestrel91316]

2. I knew it!!!!! Microbiologists are going to save the day!!!!!!

Very clever people, they are.

[suziedemocrat]

3. K&R