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Biomass-to-Ethanol Bacteria to be Used in Commercial Plant in 2006
4 May 2005
A genetically engineered E. coli bacteria that produces fuel ethanol from biomass waste such as corn stover is being used as the basis for a commercial ethanol plant currently under development.
The bioconversion technology, selected by the Department of Commerce to become Landmark Patent No. 5,000,000, is being commercialized with assistance from the Department of Energy (DOE). BC International Corp., based in Dedham, Mass., holds exclusive rights to use and license the engineered bacteria.
Lonnie Ingram, a professor of microbiology at the University of Florida and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, genetically engineered the E. coli organisms by cloning the unique genes needed to direct the digestion of sugars into ethanol, the same pathway found in yeast and higher plants. He inserted these genes into a variety of bacteria that have the ability to use all sugars found in plant material, but normally produce a worthless mixture of acetic and lactic acids as fermentation products. With the ethanol genes, the engineered bacteria produce ethanol from biomass sugars with 90%–95% efficiency.
Until we developed this new technology, the chemical makeup of biomass prevented it from being used to make ethanol economically. Biomass is a much cheaper source of ethanol than traditional feedstocks such as cornstarch and cane syrup, but the cost of processing is higher.
—Prof. Ingram
BC International plans to build a 30-million-gallon biomass-to-ethanol plant in Jennings, La, based on the genetically engineered bacteria. The plant, due to be operational by the end of 2006, will use sugarcane waste as the main feedstock.
May 4, 2005 in Biotech, Ethanol | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (1)
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Off topic:
Oh, so the old GCC logo wasn't good enough for you anymore, Mike? ;P
Posted by: Mikhail Capone | May 04, 2005 at 11:47 PM
Heh. I wondered if anyone would notice. :-) I’m slowly working on a redesign of the site to put more information up front...and figured I’d toss in a very small piece now.
Posted by: Mike | May 05, 2005 at 06:06 AM
What happens when this GM e.coli gets into someones gut? Where are the trial results?
Posted by: Ilyan | May 30, 2005 at 12:56 AM
what effects does it have on the atmosphere when used as fuel.
Ps have fun redesighning.
Posted by: sam | June 21, 2005 at 12:22 PM
hi my name is bryan and i have a question. can you use any type of plant waste and use the bacteria to produce ethanol? such plant as the horse grass in hawaii that grows naturally and in abundance?
Posted by: bryan blake | August 19, 2006 at 10:44 PM
HI. Congratulations on the inventions.
I think it is great. We have many strains of baccteria E.Coli. Do you mind selling the exact strains E. Coli baccteria being used?
Plus, what is the potential Bio Hazard during transport and use? Is it airborn or malicoius?
Moreover, could you provide the ethanol yield produce using the E. Coli baccteria?
Thank you for entertaining so many questions.
Cheers,
Ben
Posted by: Ben | September 09, 2006 at 09:54 PM
Well, What is the origin source of gene which u have used?
What about the plasmid vector employed and about Type of Restriction enzyme used?
Thanx for entertaining more than one question
Regards,
Sivagurunathan.N
Posted by: Sivagurunathan.N | December 18, 2006 at 10:42 PM
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Posted by: Express Auto Shipper car transport, auto transport | August 10, 2007 at 01:24 AM
As great as this seems, I can't help worry what would happen if this e. coli was accidentally released into nature.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 29, 2007 at 11:26 AM
What would be the effect of the bacteria if released into either the environment or the man's GIT system? If there's,how would u prevent it?
Well, this is a good idea of cutting down the green house effect on the planet.
Thanks Sir,
Josemichel .
Posted by: josemichel | May 02, 2008 at 04:35 AM
are these genetically engineered E.coli available
Posted by: mridula | May 02, 2009 at 10:00 PM