Indiana and Portuguese researchers use enzyme for enhanced lignocellulose break down

In India, the Press Trust of India reports that researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati and the University of Lisbon, Portugal have made a breakthrough in breaking down woody matter for ethanol production by improving the efficacy of a specific bacterial enzyme to turn the lignocellulose into simple sugars. Researchers found that with RfGH5_4 cellulase that could break down both cellulose and hemicellulose in a cost-efficient manner. The enzyme could be especially useful for agricultural wastes to reduce burning.