Thai researchers use yeast to lower cassava ethanol production costs

In Thailand, researchers from the Thailand Institute of Science and Technological Research have discovered that the yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae can be used to better produce ethanol from cassava thanks to its heat resistance and speed in consuming sugars, reducing production costs down to those of molasses. The research leading to the discovery took 18 months to complete with an unknown budget. The aim is to increase national ethanol production by a third for domestic blending and potentially exports.