The patent “Process for producing lower alkyl alcohols from cellulosic biomass using microorganisms” covers microorganisms which convert at least 10% by weight, and preferably 50% by weight, of cellulosic biomass to a lower alkyl alcohol by direct digestion, and which produces at least 4% by volume of the lower alkyl alcohol in an aqueous-based digestion medium.

In contrast to most current biochemical methods to produce cellulosic ethanol, the described organisms digest biomass and convert it directly to alcohols; the organisms are tolerant to 5-10% ethanol. This tolerance obviates the need for separate steps for enzymes to digest the biomass to sugars, and then producing ethanol from the sugars.

The patent covers microorganisms developed and adapted using a method recently published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology. In the method, process conditions are established that select for cellulose-degrading organisms in high ethanol environments.

Several example microorganisms were isolated from the stomach of a cow and they include organisms that do not tolerate oxygen as well as some that do tolerate oxygen. The patent is owned by the inventors who wish to find a licensing partner to produce cellulosic ethanol.