USDA Develops Efficient Ways for Biofuel Production

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has developed efficient ways for biofuel production. USDA scientists are currently developing new ways for breaking down plant fibers towards converting into biofuel, by making use of genetic materials obtained from the cow’s rumen.

For converting switchgrass and corn stover into biofuel, plant fibers must be broken down first into sugars. However, the cell wall polymers have cross-linking features in various ways which make them extremely resistant towards breaking down. Previously conducted studies have established that a special enzyme group called as FAEs (feruloyl esterases) has the capability of breaking apart crucial links between polymers.

Production of such enzymes is by way of certain microbial types that go on to degrade plant materials. From the cow’s rumen, the microbial population has been collected and screened for their genetic compositions towards finding genes that go on to produce FAE enzymes. Along with enhancing the efficiency of the biomass conversion into biofuel, enzymes also could be used for enhancing the nutritional qualities as well as the digestibility of animal feeds, while aiding nutritional supplement development.

Source: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome