Ethanol from xylose: new paths from Sweden

In Sweden, Lund University research Nadia Skorupa Parachin has extracted enzymes from garden soil to convert xylose, the world’s second most common sugar, to ethanol.  If successful, ethanol production could possibly increase by 20%.

Ms Skorupa Parachin explains, “In order for carbohydrates in forestry, plant and waste products to be used for ethanol production, enzymes are required in the yeast that ‘eat up’ the sugar and convert it into ethanol. If we just want to make use of the glucose then normal baker’s yeast is sufficient. However, if the xylose is also to be converted to ethanol, then genetic modifications have to be made to the yeast.”  Ms. Parachin started by extracting DNA from a soil sample, then built up a library from which identified the most appropriate enzymes, using a method known as metagenomics.

This method was previously used for environmental studies.  Paruchin has patented her newly discovered enzymes, and has obtained initial results demonstrated that her enzymes are more efficient at binding xylose.  While Paruchin has returned to her native Brazil, other researchers will continue working with her technique, and expect to better evaluate her enzymes this spring.

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