Termites may be Key to Cellulosic Ethanol

By Admin
Termites are the bane of homeowners for their efficiency in breaking down wood and lowering property values. However, biofuel producers are looking to...

Termites are the bane of homeowners for their efficiency in breaking down wood and lowering property values.  However, biofuel producers are looking to the insects’ saliva for its unique ability to break down lignin, the material that makes plants “woody.”  Researchers have now isolated the enzymes responsible for lignin breakdown and believe it could be essential to a new generation of cellulosic ethanol production.

In an article published this month in the scientific journal Plos One, researchers Michael Scharf, Zachary Karl, and Drion Boucias from the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida, and Amit Sethi from the Department of Entomology at Purdue University have deduced that enzymes found in termite saliva can break down cellulose at room temperature, unlike current processes that require heat and steam or caustic acids that often generates hazardous waste.  The termite enzymes may even be less expensive than current cellulosic ethanol production.

SEE OTHER TOP STORIES IN THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK

Types of Biofuels: Ethanol, Biodiesel, Biobutanol

Waste Biomass Biofuel Deal Made with Major Airlines

First Trans-Atlantic Flight Fueled by Biofuel

Read the latest edition of Energy Digital!

“Once we figure out the best way to integrate this sort of enzyme into the process, it could drop the cost of producing cellulosic ethanol significantly,” said UF entomologist Mike Scharf, who led the research, a collaboration between the two universities and the biotechnology company Chesapeake-PERL Inc.

The study involved over two years of research toward identifying nearly 7,000 genes associated with a termite’s gut, then deducing which genes were responsible for breaking down woody lignin. 

According to a 2009 report released by Sandia National Laboratories, cellulosic ethanol could replace roughly 30 percent of the United States’ gasoline by 2030 if price of production could be reduced.   

Share

Featured Articles

Digital technology enables industry’s to improve efficiency

Tuomo Hoysniemi, President, Drive Products at ABB explains how digital technology can help cut costs and increase efficiencies by smart decision-making

From carbon to clean: The global energy transition

Navigating the complex energy transition is crucial to combat climate change. Stakeholders must collaborate to bridge the gap in expectation and reality

Formula 1 meets biofuel as DHL enables sustainable logistics

Introducing bio-fuelled trucks to the Formula 1 World Championship is a major step in decarbonising motorsport and a triumph for logistics firms DHL

The true definition and benefits of a smart city

Smart Energy

Global renewable energy investment to battle the oil sector

Renewable Energy

Energy cyber threats: what are the motives for disruption?

Technology & AI