Lower ethanol prices? Researchers say gene discovery increases fermentation.

In California, Energy Biosciences Institute, researchers have found a gene they named AXY4, in a model plant that exhibits a 20-45% reduction in xyloglucan O-acetylation.  This chemical can inhibits a microbe’s ability to ferment sugars.  The researchers found that blocking the expression of AXY4 in their model plant eliminated xyloglucan O-acetylation.  For every 20% drop in the chemical, techno-economic models predict a 10% drop in ethanol prices.

Markus Pauly, a plant biologist with EBI states, “These genes can be used as genetic markers to facilitate breeding programs that aim to generate biofuel feedstocks with reduced lignocellulosic acetate content.”