TransFerm Yield+ is a drop-in substitute for conventional fermenting yeast that lowers costs and improves efficiencies for corn ethanol producers by improving ethanol yield from corn and alleviating the need to purchase a significant amount of the expensive glucoamylase enzymes. It is the latest commercial application of Mascoma’s proprietary consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) technology platform.

In pilot-scale tests at ICM, the leading provider of engineering services to the ethanol industry, and commercial-scale trials at corn ethanol producers, TransFerm Yield+ has consistently demonstrated ethanol yield improvements of up to 4%. Commercial-scale trials are currently underway at several corn ethanol producers.

Mascoma’s first bioengineered yeast product, TransFerm, has been commercially available for a little more than a year and previously received a new feed ingredient definition from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) following favorable review from the FDA. AAFCO maintains a listing of currently accepted feed ingredient definitions in its Official Publication and any new definitions are approved by AAFCO following completion of a scientific review by the FDA.

Mascoma is seeking inclusion of TransFerm Yield+ in AAFCO’s Official Publication in order to maximize the product’s marketability. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has sent a letter to AAFCO in support of establishing a new feed ingredient definition for TransFerm Yield+, based on a favorable review of the safety and utility of the product.

Both TransFerm and TransFerm Yield+ are manufactured and distributed by Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits, a global provider of fermentation ingredients to the fuel ethanol industry, and jointly marketed and sold by Mascoma and Lallemand through their exclusive partnership.