by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have developed a way to use genetically modified baker’s yeast to prevent contamination by unwelcome bacteria in ethanol plants, one of the leading causes of plant shut downs. “These bacteria are found everywhere
enzymes
Back TO HOMEThe Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to a Hybrid Approach to Repurpose Plastics Using Novel Engineered Processes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) HARNESS strives to develop a proof-of-concept pilot system designed to break down polyether-polyurethane (PE-PU) foams with engineered enzymes, then convert breakdown intermediates to high-value polyols (POs) and diamines. The primary objective of this project is to
August 23, 2024 Read Full Article
Genetically Modified Yeast Produces Second-Generation Ethanol from Complex Sugars
by Julia Moióli (Agência FAPESP) A novel genetically modified strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae developed in Brazil has shown the potential, under conditions similar to those prevailing in industry, to increase production of second-generation ethanol by up to 60% without
August 21, 2024 Read Full Article
Eating Feces: Capybara Behavior Helps Discover Organism for 2G Ethanol
by Marina Favaro (Tudo EP (Google Translation)) Protozoan present in animal feces produces enzymes capable of degrading biomass -- ... Research has found that protozoa of the species Muniziella cunha found in the digestive system of capybaras produce enzymes capable of degrading biomass. Recently published in
August 14, 2024 Read Full Article
NREL Research Dives Deeper Into the Mysteries of Energy Control in Electron-Bifurcating Enzymes
by Justin Rickard (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Understanding the Catalytic Mechanism of This Unusual Class of Enzymes May Be a Precursor to More Efficient Catalysis in the Production of Fuels and Chemicals -- In 2019, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) senior scientist Cara
July 24, 2024 Read Full Article
Atlantic Biomass Receives Nearly $200,000 US Department of Energy Funding for Biofuel Development
(Atlantic Biomass) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded Atlantic Biomass a $184,000 grant for ”Low-Cost Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) from Perennial Feedstocks using Simultaneous Ball Milling and Enzyme Hydrolysis.” Work on this project will be performed by
July 22, 2024 Read Full Article
BETO Selects 13 Small Businesses to Develop Innovative Bio-Based Products and Biomass Processing Technologies
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced awards for the FY24 Phase I Release 2 of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Across DOE, 229 projects in 39 states received $52 million to pursue
July 18, 2024 Read Full Article
IISc Researchers Develop Engineered Biocatalyst for Making Drop-in Biofuels
(The Hindu) ... Researchers at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (IPC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed an enzymatic platform that can efficiently transform naturally abundant and inexpensive fatty acids to valuable hydrocarbons called 1-alkenes, which are
July 15, 2024 Read Full Article
Scientists Gain New Molecular-Level Insights into Breaking Down Plant Material for Biofuels
(U.S. Department of Energy/NewsWise) Compared to biofuel crops like corn, breaking down cellulose from nonedible plant parts or grasses grown on marginal lands is slow and inefficient. Cellulose is the building block of plant cell walls. However, using these non-food plants could help
July 03, 2024 Read Full Article
Engineered Biocatalyst for Making 'Drop-in' Biofuels
by Pratibha Gopalakrishna (Indian Institute of Science/Phys.Org) Researchers at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (IPC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed an enzymatic platform that can efficiently transform naturally abundant and inexpensive fatty acids to valuable hydrocarbons called
June 28, 2024 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bioprocessing solutions for next gen biorefineries is what MetGen is about, and this illuminating slide guide from ABLC 2024 highlights how they maximize the value for biomass, de-bottleneck a biorefinery, all about the enzymatic lignin fractionation
June 20, 2024 Read Full Article
Biofuels Help Drive Economic Impact
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has just released a new report on “The Economic Impact of the U.S. Industrial Bioeconomy” that spotlights economic activity tied to the transformation of renewable biomass into fertilizers, bioplastics, biofuels, bio-lubricants, and other industrial bioproducts. “Our
June 11, 2024 Read Full Article
BASF Sells Bioenergy Enzymes Business to Lallemand
(BASF) BASF has sold its bioenergy enzymes business based in San Diego to Lallemand's subsidiaries, Danstar Ferment AG and Lallemand Specialties Inc. This includes the Spartec® product portfolio and related technologies in development. Lallemand will integrate the business and associated employees in
June 03, 2024 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Ethanol CI Reduction Strategies and Savings
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this presentation from the most recent Digest Webinar on the Ethanol Decarbonization Revolution Value, PROtect VP Andrea Foglesong presented these slides on building out a carbon reduction strategy, looking for big reducers (CCS, CHP, RNG);
May 29, 2024 Read Full Article
Understanding Bifurcating Enzymes Could Lead to More Efficient Renewable Fuel and Chemical Production
by Justin Rickard (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) With Support From DOE’s Basic Energy Sciences Program, NREL Researchers Unravel the Atomic-Level Mysteries of Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation -- ... There are multiple ways that organisms control and manipulate energy for cellular metabolism and
May 23, 2024 Read Full Article
Why Is Breaking Down Plant Material for Biofuels So Slow?
by Gail McCormick (Pennsylvania State University) Penn State researchers have revealed how molecular roadblocks slow the breakdown of cellulose, an abundant renewable resource in plants -- Cellulose, which helps give plant cell walls their rigid structure, holds promise as a renewable raw
May 09, 2024 Read Full Article
USDA Releases Latest Economic Impact Report on Bioeconomy
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Latest Economic Impact Report Shows a Thriving and Resilient Bioeconomy Despite Impacts of the Global Pandemic -- USDA Rural Development (RD) released “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry: 2023 Update," which demonstrates how the biobased products
March 28, 2024 Read Full Article
Frederick's February Climate Summit Debrief
by Justin McPherson* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Perfectly aligned with the tradition of First Saturday in Frederick Maryland, this month Mobilize Frederick hosted its 2nd Annual Climate Summit on the beautifully manicured campus of Hood College. Justin McPherson explains renewable fuels to visitors
February 09, 2024 Read Full Article
CSIR-NIIST Transfers Process to Make Key Enzyme for Biofuel for Commercial Use
(Hans India) The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has transferred, for commercial use, the process for production of beta glucosidase enzyme, used to manufacture biofuels, a statement said. READ MORE Related articles CSIR-NIIST transfers process to make key enzyme for biofuel
February 08, 2024 Read Full Article
Obtaining Hydrogen from Vine Shoots for Biofuel Production
(Fundación Descubre/Phys.Org) A research team from the universities of Jaén and São Paulo in Brazil has confirmed that hydrogen can be obtained from vine shoots through a process that does not require fossil fuels and does not emit pollutants. With their
January 16, 2024 Read Full Article
The Fab Finns, the Top 20 Bioproducts from the Bioeconomy’s Forest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve long been fans of the Finns, their smart forest management practices, their innovative products and the complete lack of hype and bluster coming out of Helsinki. It’s the Quiet Country, but really they are the
January 09, 2024 Read Full Article
Ontario Names Funding Recipients of Forest Biomass Program
(Government of Ontario, Canada) The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million in 15 research, innovation and modernization initiatives that will develop the untapped economic potential and environmental benefit of new and emerging uses of underutilized wood and mill by-products,
December 20, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Industrial Microbes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) iMicrobes designs and builds microorganisms, including industrial strains of bacteria and yeast to produce chemicals from natural gas and carbon dioxide. Their green, bio-based methods are “more cost effective than sugar or oil, helping to make
December 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Novozymes Launches Quara® LowP for Renewable Diesel fFedstock Pre-treatment
(Novozymes/Yahoo! Finance) Novozymes, a global leader in biosolutions, marks a significant milestone in the renewable diesel and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) industry with the launch of Quara® LowP, an enzymatic solution designed to transform the feedstock pre-treatment process. As the world seeks
November 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Novozymes Launches Quara® LowP for Renewable Diesel Feedstock Pre-treatment
(Novozymes) Novozymes, a global leader in biosolutions, marks a significant milestone in the renewable diesel and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) industry with the launch of Quara® LowP, an enzymatic solution designed to transform the feedstock pre-treatment process. -- As the world seeks
November 10, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Synonym
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Synonym is a financing and development platform for essential biomanufacturing infrastructure. Based on a team of cross‑functional experts, they are partnering with synthetic biology companies and capital providers to enable fermentation at scale. CIO Brentan Alexander took
November 06, 2023 Read Full Article
Newly-Engineered Enzymes Can Help Plants Produce More Biofuels
by Loukia Papadopoulos (Interesting Engineering) ... In order to improve the efficiency of converting grass plant biomass into biofuels and other bioproducts, plant biologists at the DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a new type of enzymes that optimizes plants’ ability to develop biomass. These
October 30, 2023 Read Full Article
Report from TECO: The Growing Corn Ethanol Industry in Latin America
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest/TECO) The current landscape and prospects of the corn ethanol industry was the focus of the 9th edition of TECO Latin America, hosted by Novozymes, the leader in biosolutions and producers of enzymes and yeast for the corn
October 30, 2023 Read Full Article
Ingenza and Phibro Ethanol Accelerate the Green Fuel Transition
(Ingenza and Phibro Ethanol/EIN Presswire) Ingenza and Phibro Ethanol – a division of Phibro Animal Health Corporation – have joined forces to engineer a novel yeast strain that will increase yield in the commercial production of bioethanol under both challenging and conventional environmental conditions, further driving
October 18, 2023 Read Full Article
Biofuels Hold Promise as Alternative to Fossil Fuels
by Pitambara and Bishwa Bhaskar Choudhary (The Tribune) The govt should consider making a budgetary allocation to implement measures to promote wasteland for the cultivation of energy crops and impart technical know-how to farmers. Increasing the allocation and extending the term
October 16, 2023 Read Full Article
Capturing CO2 with Electricity: A Microbial Enzyme Inspires Electrochemistry
(Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology) Scientists isolate a microbial enzyme and branch it on an electrode to efficiently and unidirectionally convert carbon dioxide to formate Humanity continuously emits greenhouse gases and thereby worsens global warming. Increasing research efforts go into developing
October 13, 2023 Read Full Article
Predator-Prey Defense Mechanisms Could Unlock Key to Marine Biofuel Production
by Emily Packer (eLife/Phys.Org) ... The feeding strategy of the sea slug Aplysia kurodai has attracted attention because when it feeds on brown algae, it converts a carbohydrate called laminarin to glucose, which could be used as a renewable fuel source. However,
October 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Environmental Sustainability: Who Are the Leaders in Biofuel Production for the Oil & Gas Industry?
(Offshore Technology/Global Data) The oil & gas industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and biofuels, and growing importance of technologies such as electrolyzers, auto-thermal reforming and bioenergy
October 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Methane by Converting It into Methanol with a New Enzyme
(Nagoya University) A team led by Professor Shoji at Nagoya University in Japan has developed a technology to convert methane, the principal component of natural gas, into methanol at room temperature in water. They used an enzyme that can be easily
September 27, 2023 Read Full Article
Engineering of Plant Cell Wall Modifying Enzymes Opens New Horizons
by Johnny von Einem (University of Adelaide) A newly discovered way of optimising plant enzymes through bioengineering has increased knowledge of how plant material can be converted into biofuels, biochemicals and other high-value products. The University of Adelaide-led study presents innovative ideas
September 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Perspectives from USDA Research…. Hot Feedstocks for SAF
by William Orts (USDA Western Regional Research Center) USDA Projects: 1. Bioproducts and Biopolymers from Ag Feedstocks 2. Zero Waste Agricultural Processing 3. Domestic Production of Natural Rubber and Resins ... • Building biorefineries does not require us to build from scratch • Biorefineries are originally grain mills, but
August 31, 2023 Read Full Article
How a Bacterial Enzyme Could Revolutionize Aviation Biofuels
by Rizwan Choudhury (Interesting Engineering) A breakthrough discovery by a team of Brazilian researchers could open up new biotechnological pathways to produce renewable hydrocarbons for aviation from different feedstocks. Scientists have found an enzyme that can replace the traditional metal-based catalysts used in
August 28, 2023 Read Full Article
Polyhydroxybutyrate Synthesis in Camelina: Towards Coproduction of Renewable Feedstocks for Bioplastics and Fuels
Meghna R. Malik, Nii Patterson, Nirmala Sharma, Jihong Tang, Claire Burkitt, Yuanyuan Ji, Matthew Martino, Andrew Hertig, Dirk Schweitzer, Oliver Peoples, Kristi D. Snell (Plant Biotechnology Journal) Plant-based co-production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and seed oil has the potential to create a
August 23, 2023 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Awards $2.5 Million to Accelerate Commercialization of Bioenergy Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) today announced $2.5 million in funding, with an industry match of $2.5 million, for four projects selected from the Base Annual Appropriations Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF). The TCF is administered
August 15, 2023 Read Full Article
TAU Team Produces 'Green' Hydrogen with over 90% Efficiency
by Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman (Jerusalem Post) ... A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has produced "green" hydrogen – hydrogen that is produced without polluting carbon dioxide emissions but is still highly efficient, the university said. Their research was published in a study in the peer-reviewed Carbon
July 24, 2023 Read Full Article
It Starts with Enzymes
(Biofuels International/DSM) ... Robust, efficient and all-natural, oil-refining enzymes offer a clean and comprehensive oil pre-treatment solution that tackles the challenges currently facing biofuel processors. ... Spotlighting yield optimisation in plants where refining 500 metric tons of oil per day is commonplace,
June 23, 2023 Read Full Article
Tri-Cities Researchers’ Discovery Could Mean Cheaper Bio-Based Fuel
by Steven Ashby (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Tri-City Herald) While it can take a century for some types of wood to fully decompose, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington State University took a lesson from nature and discovered a
June 12, 2023 Read Full Article
The Copper Key to More Efficient Biomass Breakdown
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Nonfood, plant-based biofuels have potential as a green alternative to fossil fuels, but the enzymes required for production are too inefficient and costly to produce. However, new research is shining a light on enzymes from fungi that could make
May 12, 2023 Read Full Article
PANDA – A 5-Letter Word for EARTH MONTH
At the Memphis zoo, researchers are STUDYing PANDA poop because THESE marsupials’ unique gut microbes BREAK down plant compounds WHICH are otherwise QUITE difficult to process and this unique biology MIGHT OFFER new gateways to producing renewable bioethanol and OTHER
April 26, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes – from the last syllable you can guess at their dominance in the world of creating disruptive yields through enzyme innovation — but did you know of their increasingly strong technology in yeast? What
March 21, 2023 Read Full Article
NREL Launches Synthetic Biology Project to Advance Biofuels
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The pathway that leads us away from unsustainable fossil fuel consumption is not straight and narrow but filled with many branches of possibilities. One of those branches—carbon-negative production of biofuels and biochemicals—is the focus of
February 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Speeding up Sugar's Conversion into Fuel
(University of Queensland) University of Queensland researchers have found a way to more efficiently convert sugarcane into a building block of aviation fuel and other products. By zeroing in on a specific enzyme, a UQ team working in collaboration with the Technical
January 26, 2023 Read Full Article
New Enzyme Speeds up Sugar to Biofuel System without Using Yeast
by Jacinta Bowler (Cosmos Magazine) Australian researchers have found a way to more effectively convert sugarcane into the building block of aviation fuel, and other products like rubber and plastics. Sugarcane (and its waste product) is one of the crops that has
January 19, 2023 Read Full Article
Lifting Up Production
by Katie Schroeder (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In recent years, many ethanol producers have started migrating toward a more diversified biorefining model as they adapt to changing markets and changing times. The enzymes industry has not only kept pace with this
January 03, 2023 Read Full Article
IIT-G Succeeds in Breaking down Woody Biomass for Conversion to Bioethanol Fuel
(The Meghalayan Bureau) The IIT Guwahati scientists have shown the efficacy of a new type of endoglucanase called RfGH5_4 in breaking down lignocellulosic and hemicellulosic biomass for the eventual conversion to bioethanol fuel. Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati
January 02, 2023 Read Full Article
Versalis, New Technology to Produce Enzymes for Second Generation Ethanol
(Eni) Versalis, Eni's chemical company, has acquired the technology to produce enzymes for second-generation ethanol from DSM, a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience. The agreement has a strategic value for Versalis as it integrates with proprietary Proesa® technology,
December 20, 2022 Read Full Article
To Battle Climate Change, Scientists Tap into Carbon-Hungry Microorganisms for Clues
by Theresa Duque (Science Daily/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) New technique could fast-track future carbon-free solar fuels -- Scientists have demonstrated a new technique, modeled after a metabolic process found in some bacteria, to convert carbon dioxide into solar fuels through artificial
December 01, 2022 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to the BioMade Consortium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BioMADE’s mission is to enable domestic bioindustrial manufacturing at all scales, develop technologies to enhance U.S. bioindustrial competitiveness, de-risk investment in relevant infrastructure, and expand the biomanufacturing workforce to realize the economic promise of industrial
November 17, 2022 Read Full Article
Artificial Intelligence Makes Enzyme Engineering Easy
(Osaka University/Phys.Org) You can't move a pharmaceutical scientist from a lab to a kitchen and expect the same research output. Enzymes behave exactly the same: They are dependent upon a specific environment. But now, in a study recently published in ACS
November 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Agile BioFoundry Selects New Collaborations
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems at the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the
October 13, 2022 Read Full Article
MetGen’s Acceleration: A Hat-Trick of Deals Put the Lignin Pioneer on a New Trajectory
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From MetGen in Finland comes not one story but three, a hat-trick. First, a commercial license for biorefineries with Futurity in New Zealand; second, a partnership with Ivy Farms to develop an industrial process for bioactive molecules they use in
September 29, 2022 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Novel Cell-Free Enzymatic Systems for CO2 Capture
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To develop, innovate, and reduce costs of CO2 Separations using enzyme-based technology to accelerate CO2 capture alternative solvents with low regeneration energy. That’s the goal of this project funded by the US Department of Energy’s
September 08, 2022 Read Full Article
New Algorithm Uncovers Secrets of Cell Factories
by Karin Wik and Susanne Nilsson Lindh (Chalmers University of Technology/Phys.Org) Drug molecules and biofuels can be made to order by living cell factories, where biological enzymes do the job. Now, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a
September 01, 2022 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes – from the last syllable you can guess at their dominance in the world od creating disruptive yields through enzyme innovation — but did you know of their increasingly strong technology in yeast? What
September 01, 2022 Read Full Article
ROBIN Debuts THE CLARIANT CHANNEL
(Biofuels Digest) Now on ROBIN, up to the minute video and presentations, events and background from Europe's dominant player in 2G ethanol and in many chemicals markets. All content is available on THE CLARIANT CHANNEL, part of your ROBIN streaming
August 26, 2022 Read Full Article
Not Just Bread and Beer—Microbes Can Ferment Carbon Dioxide to Make Fuel, Too
by Erik F. Ringle (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Scientists Mapped Out a "Bicyclic Carbon Fixation" Pathway for Speeding Up Gas Fermentation in Specialized Bacteria -- ... Certain species of bacteria ferment carbon dioxide (CO2) gas to make their own nutrients
August 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Atlantic Biomass, LLC and Bionoid, Inc. Sign Letter of Intent to Produce Commercial Quantities of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) from Residual Hemp Biomass
(Atlantic Biomass and Bionoid) In a surprise announcement at the annual Advisory Board Meeting of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2), Phase I MEI2 grant recipient Atlantic Biomass, LLC signed a Letter of Intent with Bionoid, Inc. signaling their joint
August 09, 2022 Read Full Article
Researchers Enlist Sturdy Yeast to Help Make Cost-Effective Ethanol
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) Yeasts play a key role in converting ("fermenting") sugars from plants into ethanol fuel. But not all yeasts are created equal. Some are better fermenters than others because they can tolerate the harsh conditions
August 05, 2022 Read Full Article
Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt Develop New Biobattery for Hydrogen Storage
(Goethe University) A team of microbiologists from Goethe University Frankfurt has succeeded in using bacteria for the controlled storage and release of hydrogen. This is an important step in the search for carbon-neutral energy sources in the interest of climate
July 22, 2022 Read Full Article
PNNL: New Artificial Enzyme Breaks Down Tough, Woody Lignin
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new artificial enzyme has shown it can chew through lignin, the tough polymer that helps woody plants hold their shape. Lignin also stores tremendous potential for renewable energy and materials. Reporting in the journal Nature
July 15, 2022 Read Full Article
Fabricating a Future for Biodiesel
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) With prices for cleaner feedstocks through the roof, Tactical Fabrication and Smisson-Mathis Energy have forged an all-inclusive, turnkey model for biodiesel production based on the least desirable and lowest-cost materials. After years of development, they
June 21, 2022 Read Full Article
New Artificial Enzyme Breaks Down Tough, Woody Lignin
(Science Daily/DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Study shows promise for developing a new renewable energy source -- An innovative artificial enzyme has shown it can chew through woody lignin, an abundant carbon-based substance that stores tremendous potential for renewable energy and
June 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Electrode Design Paves Way for Better Biofuel Cells, Electrochemical Devices
(American Institute of Physics (AIP)/NewsWise) Amphiphilic assembly generates hybrid biofuel cells with improved power output, operational stability -- Enzyme electrodes are useful in a range of applications, including biosensing systems and electrochemical devices. Biofuel cells (BFCs) are specially promising candidates for
May 30, 2022 Read Full Article
Biosolutions for the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Things are looking good for Novozymes this year with 10% organic sales growth, two new product launches in the first quarter including HiPhorious – a phytase solution for improved phosphate uptake – in animal nutrition,
May 10, 2022 Read Full Article
Enzymes Discovered in Capybara Gut Can Accelerate Utilization of Agroindustrial Waste
by Karina Ninni (Agência FAPESP)– Converting agroindustrial waste into molecules of interest to society, such as biofuels and biochemicals, is one of the ways to mitigate dependence on oil and other fossil fuels. As one of the world’s largest producers
May 03, 2022 Read Full Article
Competitive Edge: Codexis, Inc.’s Enzyme Engineering
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Codexis is a world-leading enzyme engineering company, enabling the promise of synthetic biology across multiple industries – from the sustainable manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, food and industrial products, to the expansion of life science tools and
April 08, 2022 Read Full Article
New, Nature-Inspired Concepts for Turning CO2 into Clean Fuels
(University of Cambridge) Researchers have developed an efficient concept to turn carbon dioxide into clean, sustainable fuels, without any unwanted by-products or waste. -- Instead of capturing and storing CO2, which is incredibly energy-intensive, we have demonstrated a new concept
March 25, 2022 Read Full Article
Sweetwater Receives Final Acceptance of Commercial Sunburst Unit at Sweetwoods Project in Estonia
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Estonia – a NATO country that borders Russia. U.S. based Sweetwater Energy received final acceptance of its first commercial Sunburst unit at the Sweetwoods Project in Estonia, proving that Sunburst has met all criteria—including
February 28, 2022 Read Full Article
Carbon-Negative Production of Acetone and Isopropanol by Gas Fermentation at Industrial Pilot Scale
by Fungmin Eric Liew, Robert Nogle, Tanus Abdalla, et al. (Nature Biotechnology) Many industrial chemicals that are produced from fossil resources could be manufactured more sustainably through fermentation. Here we describe the development of a carbon-negative fermentation route to producing
February 21, 2022 Read Full Article
Biogas Biorefineries: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA’s Biogas, RNG Opportunities
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dairies, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing plants…wherever there’s biomass, there’s potential for biogas and renewable natural gas. Check out this illuminating slide guide from William Orts at the USDA Western Regional Research Center in
February 11, 2022 Read Full Article
14 Product Launches in 2021: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novozymes delivered an impressive 2021 full-year results that included 6% organic sales growth – 7% organic sales growth in the fourth quarter alone – 14 product launches, several acquisitions, and expectations to continue doing well
February 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Carbios Accelerates Its Industrial Development
(Carbios) This industrial scale-up is supported by the excellent results obtained at the demonstration plant, which launched in September 2021; Two world-class PET producers have been shortlisted to host the reference unit operating Carbios’ technology and the final choice of
January 24, 2022 Read Full Article
Microbial Production of Fourth-Generation Biofuels
(University of Exeter) Bacteria modified to produce fuel on demand have been produced by University of Exeter researchers in collaboration with energy and petrochemicals group Shell. Academics led by Professor John Love have found a way to get the organisms to produce fuel nearly identical
January 16, 2022 Read Full Article
Novozymes to Deliver on Strategy with Carbon Capture Collaboration Agreement
(Novozymes) Novozymes launched its 2025 strategy with a clear objective to explore new growth opportunities. The company is now delivering on its strategy by entering a collaboration agreement with Saipem, a leading engineering company, to deliver new biotech solutions for
January 06, 2022 Read Full Article
Commercializing Lignin to Chemicals: The Digest’s 2022 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The fractionation of lignin – How MetGen does it, their process compared to others, collaboration partners, their commercial demo, their commercialization pathway to biobased materials, and more. READ MORE UD researchers report low-pressure method to convert
January 04, 2022 Read Full Article
Top 10 Digest Stories of 2021
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... In fact, in terms of news stories, there was more good news than bad in 2021 and a look at what you, the Digest readers, found most interesting and intriguing in 2021 shows just
December 31, 2021 Read Full Article
Top 10 Slide Guides of 2021
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) As we wrap up 2021 this week, The Digest brings you the hottest Top 10 slide guides from this past year – with key themes like carbon upcycling, ethanol to hydrogen, renewable diesel and jet
December 30, 2021 Read Full Article
KU to Conduct Research to Make Paddy Waste Useful for Industries
by Neeraj Mohan (Hindustan Times) The department of biotechnology of the Kurukshetra University is set to conduct research to make paddy straw useful for industries and generate additional income for farmers -- The department has received a grant of ₹14 lakh
December 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Feeding Sugar to Bacteria May Lead to Less Harmful Fuel for Cars, Trucks
by Sommer Brokaw (UPI) Sugar can be transformed into hydrocarbons found in gasoline by feeding glucose to strains of E. coli that don't harm human health, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Chemistry. "Making biofuels from renewable resources like glucose
November 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Decarbonizing Transport with Cellulosic Ethanol: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Clariant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed the ABLC presentation by Andreas Reindl, Clariant’s Business Line Biofuels & Derivatives, Head of Industrial Enzymes and Technologies, then you won’t want to miss this one! It’s all about sunliquid, Clariant’s cellulosic
November 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymes at the Center of Circular Economy: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Arzeda
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Nature’s nanomachines and game-changers is what Arzeda calls them – enzymes. How does Arzeda’s computational protein design fast-forward evolution? Commercialization, product portfolio, partnerships, acrylate markets and applications, and much more, read on. READ MORE The Digest’s
November 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Future Looking Brighter: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes Q3
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Things are looking up! Novozymes raised its full-year outlook for 2021 thanks to stronger performance than expected. With double digit organic sales growth in 3 of their 5 business areas, 8 new products launched including 4
November 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Making Martian Rocket Biofuel on Mars
(Georgia Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a concept that would make Martian rocket fuel, on Mars, that could be used to launch future astronauts back to Earth. The bioproduction process would use three resources native
October 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Researchers Develop Chemoenzymatic Technique to Extract Precursor for Biofuel from Agricultural Waste
by Park Sae-jin (Aju Business Daily) For the first time in the world, researchers from a state-run institute have found a chemoenzymatic technique to convert a material extracted from biomasses into an important eco-friendly precursor for biofuel and bioplastic. The
October 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Crucial Step Identified in the Conversion of Biomass to Methane
(Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg) Researchers find the enzymatic link in the formation of methane from fatty acids by cooperating microorganisms -- Microbial production of methane from organic material is an essential process in the global carbon cycle and an important source of renewable
October 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Expanding Lignin’s Potential: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bioprocessing solutions for next gen biorefineries is what MetGen is about, and this illuminating slide guide from ABLC Digital highlights how they maximize the value for biomass, de-bottleneck a biorefinery, all about the enzymatic lignin
September 30, 2021 Read Full Article
Beat the Heat – Novozymes Breaks through Again on Ethanol Yield; Yet, Are Organisms Telling Us to Cool It?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As has been reported out of the Fuel Ethanol Workshops, Novozymes has introduced two advanced technologies, in yeast and fiber, of material significance in the here and now of ethanol, but also in how and how
September 29, 2021 Read Full Article
SynBio: The Science behind LanzaTech’s Success
by Erik Kobayashi-Solomon (Forbes) As I explained in my first overview article in this series, LanzaTech is an industrial chemicals business. But to describe it as merely another commodity chemicals producer misses the point entirely. At its heart, LanzaTech is a cutting-edge synthetic biology or
September 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Optimizing Advanced Fuel Production: Utilizing Industrial Hemp Biomass for High Throughput Biofuel Production in Maryland
by Robert Kozak (Atlantic Biomass/Advanced Biofuels USA) This is a presentation that was part of a seminar program at Hood College for the students, faculty, and friends of their biology department. It focuses on new directions in advanced biofuel research. These
September 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Effect of Lignin-Blocking Agent on Enzyme Hydrolysis of Acid Pretreated Hemp Waste
by Daehwan Kim, Chang Geun Yoo, Jurgen Schwarz, Sadanand Dhekney, Robert Kozak, Craig Laufer, Drew Ferrier, Skylar Mackay, Madyson Ashcraft, Richard Williams and Sinyeon Kime (RSC Advances) Hemp wastes (stems and branches), fractionated after hemp flower extraction for the production
September 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Citrus Canker Bacterium Can Be an Ally in Biorenewables Manufacturing
(EurekAlert!/FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO) A study revealed the biological process used by Xanthomonas to weaken the defenses of plants and discovered a novel class of enzyme that can be used to obtain advanced sugars
September 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Recent Innovations in Turning Agricultural Waste into Biofuels
by Raj Shah and Amanda Loo (altenergymag.com/Koehler Instrument Company) Wastes from fields and wastes from processing are the two kinds of agricultural wastes. Field wastes are present after harvesting crops and include stems, leaves, and stalks, and waste after processing
August 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzyme from Amazon Fungus Could Enhance Efficiency of Second-Generation Ethanol Production
by Maria Fernanda Ziegler (Agência FAPESP) Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil have found an enzyme from the Amazon fungus Trichoderma harzianum to be capable of breaking down biomass. Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are present
August 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Fungus That Tastes Just Right: PNNL Researchers Study Plant Material in Soils that Offers Clues for Making Sustainable Bioproducts
by Allan Brettman (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Discerning leaf-cutter ants know what food they like to eat. They turn up their scent-detecting antennae at some plant material in soils in favor of others that fungus has degraded just the way they
August 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Keysight's Test Solutions Selected by Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells to Understand the Behavior and Characteristics of Biofuel Cells
(Keysight Technologies/Yahoo! Finance) Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced that Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BeFC), an innovator of bio enzymatic fuel
July 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Analysis Shows Enzyme-Based Plastics Recycling Is More Energy Efficient, Better for Environment
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) BOTTLE Consortium Effort Develops Model That Finds Sizeable Energy and Carbon-Saving Benefits for Recycling PET, a Common Plastic Used in Bottles, Clothing, Carpet -- Researchers in the BOTTLE Consortium, including from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s)
July 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Kemin Biofuels Launches ZyloZyme™ AA for Use in Bioethanol Production
(Kemin Industries/CISION) ZyloZyme™ AA is an efficient, high-temperature alpha-amylas -- Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has added ZyloZyme™ AA,
July 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Energycane Produces More Biodiesel than Soybean at a Lower Cost
(University of Illinois/EurekAlert!) Bioenergy from crops is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. New crops such as energycane can produce several times more fuel per acre than soybeans. Yet, challenges remain in processing the crops to extract fuel efficiently. Four new studies
July 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Microbes in Cow Stomachs Can Help Recycle Plastic
by Nicoletta Lanese (Live Science) Microbes fished from the stomachs of cows can gobble up certain kinds of plastic, including the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in soda bottles, food packaging and synthetic fabrics. Scientists uncovered these microbes in liquid that was drawn
July 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Babcock & Wilcox Assists Amager Resource Center’s Application to E.U. to Fund Innovative Carbon Capture Project in Denmark
(Babcock & Wilcox) Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) (NYSE: BW) Environmental announced today that it will support Amager Resource Center’s (ARC) application for more than €120 million ($140 million USD) in European Union funding to build an advanced carbon dioxide (CO2)
July 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Engineered Yeast Could Expand Biofuels' Reach
by Anne Trafton (Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) To try to expand biofuels' potential impact, a team of MIT engineers has now found a way to expand the use of a wider range of nonfood feedstocks to produce such fuels. At the
June 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Keysight’s Test Solutions Selected by Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells to Understand the Behavior and Characteristics of Biofuel Cells
(Keysight Technologies/Business Wire) -Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced that Bioenzymatic Fuel Cells (BeFC), and innovator of bio enzymatic fuel cells,
June 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Is It Starch or Cellulose? NREL Offers Answers that Could Unlock Incentives for Making Cellulosic Ethanol
by Zia Abdullah (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Cellulosic ethanol—produced from fibrous cellulose, which gives plants strength and rigidity—offers a range of attractive benefits. When used as a vehicle fuel, it can support deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with a carbon footprint
June 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Single Gene Boosts Climate Resilience, Yield and Carbon Capture in Crops
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a single gene that simultaneously boosts plant growth and tolerance for stresses such as drought and salt, all while tackling the root cause of climate change by enabling plants
June 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Biodiesel from Stillage Fiber: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Xylome
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the recent BETO peer review, Xylome shared this illuminating slide guide on making biodiesel precursors from dissolved organics and corn fiber present in grain ethanol stillage by engineering hyper-lipogenic strains of L. starkeyi to
June 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Economical Cell-free Isobutanol Production: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Invizyne Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biomass derived sugars can be used by engineered microbes to make fuels and chemicals – but Invizyne is looking at alternative methods to improve cellulosic utilization and conversion. Check out their BETO presentation highlighting their
June 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzyme System for the Hydrogen Economy
(Ruhr University in Bochum) An enzyme could make a dream of the energy industry come true: it can efficiently generate hydrogen from electricity as well as convert hydrogen into electricity. Both fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity, and electrolysers, which
May 24, 2021 Read Full Article
Scientists Uncover Surprising Behavior of a Fatty Acid Enzyme with Potential Biofuel Applications
by Jennifer Huber (Stanford University/SLAC) Derived from microscopic algae, the rare, light-driven enzyme converts fatty acids into starting ingredients for solvents and fuels. -- Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, it’s rare to find enzymes – proteins that promote
May 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Researchers Brewing up Better Ways to Turn Plant Waste into Ethanol
by Bev Betkowski (Troy Media/University of Alberta) University of Alberta research is brewing up better ways to help ethanol producers make the most of plant waste they use to make their fuel. A process developed by researcher David Bressler’s lab in the Faculty of
May 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Changing Carbohydrates into Lipids for Microalgae Biofuels
(Kobe University/Phy.Org) A cross-institutional collaboration has developed a technique to repartition carbon resources from carbohydrates to lipids in microalgae. It is hoped that this method can be applied to biofuel production. This discovery was the result of a collaboration between a
May 07, 2021 Read Full Article
“Dominating” Fungus Could Provide Solution to Producing More Biofuels and Valuable Chemicals
(University of York) he discovery of a novel enzyme that releases a valuable chemical from agricultural waste could provide an important breakthrough in the upscaling of renewable fuels and chemicals, a new study shows. ... Researchers – led by the University of York
May 06, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymatic Lignin Fractioning & Refining: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MetGen COO Matti Heikkilä takes us inside the technology in this illuminating slide guide. Find out what’s behind their inspiration, the bioprocessing tech behind next gen biorefineries, how to de-bottleneck a biorefinery, the possibilities with
May 03, 2021 Read Full Article
Biosolutions for Ag, Industrial & Consumers: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Just released yesterday, this Novozymes Q1 presentation shows their microbes and industrial enzymes business is off to a good start with solid Q1 results with 3% organic sales growth and strong earnings. Get details on their
April 28, 2021 Read Full Article
Scientists Uncover Structure of Light-Driven Enzyme with Potential Biofuel Applications
U.S. Department of Eneryg/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, enzymes - proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions - are rarely driven by light. Scientists have identified only three types of natural photoenzymes so far. The newest
April 27, 2021 Read Full Article
Biodiesel from FOG and Waste: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to SMES Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fats, oils and grease are used today more than ever before – we’re talkin’ billions and billions of gallons – and Smisson Mathis Energy Solutions is converting this waste into biodiesel. See the latest progress
April 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Biomass to Sugar Conversion Mechanisms: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Pretreatment and Enzymes for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Get the latest on thermochemical pretreatment and enzymatic reactions for biofuels and biochemicals production from Rajesh Gupta from Lee Enterprises Consulting in this illuminating slide guide. From lignocellulosic and algal biomass, comparison of popular pretreatment
April 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Protein Production Platform: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to Dyadic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Now that all Americans 16 years and older are eligible for Covid-19 vaccines as of yesterday, the timing is perfect for this Dyadic presentation that dives into their proprietary & patented C1-cell chromosomal gene expression
April 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Green Chemistry and Biofuel: The Mechanism of a Key Photoenzyme Decrypted
(European Synchrotron Radiation Facility/Phys.Org) The functioning of the enzyme FAP, useful for producing biofuels and for green chemistry, has been decrypted. This result mobilized an international team of scientists, including many French researchers from the CEA, CNRS, Inserm, École Polytechnique, the
April 09, 2021 Read Full Article
Separating Beer Waste into Proteins for Foods, and Fiber for Biofuels
(American Chemical Society/Phys.Org) ... Once all the flavor has been extracted from barley and other grains, what's left is a protein- and fiber-rich powder that is typically used in cattle feed or put in landfills. Today, scientists report a new
April 07, 2021 Read Full Article
Kemin Launches Dry Cellulase ZyloCell™ to Support Biofuels Industries' Low-carbon Initiatives
(Kemin Biofuels/Markets Insider) Kemin Biofuels, part of Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has expanded its enzyme portfolio with
March 26, 2021 Read Full Article
From Sawdust to Ethanol and Green Chemicals
by Eva-Marie Byberg and Ylva Strömstedt (Sekab BioFuels & Chemicals/EurActiv) In the High Coast area of Sweden lies a company committed to tackling climate change by making use of the residues from the forestry industry. With a unique technology ready
March 19, 2021 Read Full Article
5 Key Tech Takeaways: Highlights from Tech Presented at ABLC 2020
by Iacovos Vasalos (Center for Research and Technology-Hellas/Biofuels Digest) This report summarizes highlights from the ABLC 2020 Biofuels Digest Virtual Conference, which took place in July 7-10, 2020. (And if you haven’t already registered for this year’s ABLC Digital on May 3-7,
March 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Investing or Raising Capital in the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to The Biotech Bull Market
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today we look at the Biotech Bull Market — what’s up, and why. How can you get your fair share in investing or capital raising? We are hunting for Value at AMRS, CDXS, REGI, GEVO,
March 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Feast Fit for a Bio-King! Coke’s Paper Bottles, 3D Printed Ribeye, Seaweed Plates, and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of February 19th
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Following in Absolut’s footsteps with paper bottles, Coca-Cola has begun a trial of paper bottles. Enjoy your Coke with the world’s first cultivated, 3D printed ribeye steak from Aleph Farms on a biodegradable seaweed pulp
February 19, 2021 Read Full Article
Termite Gut Microbes Could Aid Biofuel Production
(American Chemical Society/EurekAlert!) Wheat straw, the dried stalks left over from grain production, is a potential source of biofuels and commodity chemicals. But before straw can be converted to useful products by biorefineries, the polymers that make it up must be
February 18, 2021 Read Full Article
Innovations in Bioprocess Tech for Fuels: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) USDA’s Bruce Dien shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC 2020 focusing on the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois and recent success of NCAUR research. From biorefineries, advanced ethanol and biobutanol,
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Scientists Discover Plants' Roadblock to Specialty Oil Production
(Brookhaven National Laboratory/EurekAlert!) Research solves longstanding problem and opens path for growing crops to produce industrially important high-value fatty acids -- Hundreds of naturally occurring specialty fatty acids (building blocks of oils) have potential for use as raw materials for making
February 12, 2021 Read Full Article
Reinventing and Refining the Corn Kernel: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Green Plains
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Green Plains recently acquired Fluid Quip Technologies with ag tech the cornerstone of their transformation strategy and a focus on meeting the growing global demand for protein, corn oil and high-purity alcohol. Check out their
February 08, 2021 Read Full Article
Clariant and Harbin Hulan Sino-Dan Jianye Bio-Energy Announce License Agreement for Sunliquid® Cellulosic Ethanol Technology in China
(Clariant) This agreement marks the second license deal for Clariant’s sunliquid® technology in China and its fifth signed license deal globally; Harbin Hulan Sino-Dan Jianye Bio-Energy intends to realize a commercial scale plant using Clariant’s sunliquid® technology for the production
February 03, 2021 Read Full Article
From Biofuels and Other Chemicals to Methane Production: Study Peers into the Mysteries of a Goat's Gut
by Sonia Fernandez (University of California - Santa Barbara/Phys.Org) ... "This has been the longest single effort in my lab," said (Michelle) O'Malley, who with her research team way back in 2015 first embarked on an ambitious project to characterize gut
February 02, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzymes, Lignin Transformed into Biobased Products: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sugar-based bioplastics and lignin-based composites, resins, adhesives, and foams are already here, MetGen’s COO Matti Heikkilä. Find out what else he had to say at the recent DigestConnect about enabling novel biobased materials and renewable
February 01, 2021 Read Full Article
Enzyme Twin with Biotechnological Potential: Green Algae Are Popular Objects in Biotechnology because They Have Hydrogen-Producing Enzymes.
(Ruhr University Bochum) Green algae have two almost identical hydrogen-producing enzymes. One has been researched for decades, the other received little attention - until recently. Hydrogen-producing enzymes, so-called hydrogenases, could be a source of regenerative energy. The RUB photobiotechnology working group has now
January 11, 2021 Read Full Article
'Fiber Is the New Starch'
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Novozymes has released a platform to convert more fiber to ethanol, giving producers an attractive 'D3 lift.' The company is also helping its customers navigate the low-carbon fuels marketplace, streamlining certification and assisting where
December 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Enzymatic Lignin Valorization: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sugar-based bioplastics and lignin-based foams and composites are making it possible to transform the huge amount of oil based materials and products in our lives to biobased products. MetGen is making it happen with zero
December 22, 2020 Read Full Article
New Discovery Opens Novel Pathway for High-Titer Production of Drop-in Biofuels
(Aarhus University/EurekAlert!) Using an unusual, light-dependent enzyme and a newly discovered enzymatic mechanism, researchers from Aarhus University and MIT have enabled the biological synthesis of high-yield industry relevant production of climate neutral drop-in fuels from biowaste -- ... A special light-dependent
December 18, 2020 Read Full Article
New Bioenergy Enzyme Solution Harnesses the Untapped Potential of Corn
(Novozymes) Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, has expanded its portfolio of innovative enzyme solutions for the bioenergy industry with the launch of Fortiva Hemi. The unique new product brings novel enzymes to liquefaction that enable unmatched substrate conversion to
December 15, 2020 Read Full Article
“Life in Plastic, It’s Fantastic” – Braskem Invests $67M in Recycling Line, DOE Plastics Innovation Challenge
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Like Braskem’s news that they are expanding their post-consumer resin portfolio and investing $67 million in the construction of a recycling line with capacity to transform around 250 million pieces of packaging into 14,000
December 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Understanding Bacteria's Metabolism Could Improve Biofuel Production
by Jules Bernstein (University of California - Riverside/Phys.Org) A new study reveals how bacteria control the chemicals produced from consuming 'food.' The insight could lead to organisms that are more efficient at converting plants into biofuels. The study, authored by scientists at
December 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Enzymes and Microbes Produce More with Less: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Novozymes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In September, Novozymes announced they would be a more customer-centric organization. But what does that mean? And how did COVID-19 affect their business strategy for the remaining 2020 months? Find out in this illuminating slide
November 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Research Creates Hydrogen-Producing Living Droplets, Paving Way for Alternative Future Energy Sources
(University of Bristol) Scientists have built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen, instead of oxygen, when exposed to daylight in air. The findings of the international research team based at the University of Bristol and Harbin Institute of Technology
November 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Carbios Will Knock Your Socks off, Produces First Clear Plastic Bottles from Enzymatically Recycled Textile Waste
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Carbios will knock your socks off with their enzyme tech that is now converting textile waste and your old polyester socks and sweaters into clear plastic bottles. We’ve heard of clothing made from plastic bottles
November 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Coaxing Crops to Create Animal Proteins, Cucumber Peels for Food Packaging Polymers, and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of November 20th
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Cucumber peels converted into cellulose nanocrystals with potential to be used in food packaging, bamboo and sugar waste tableware that biodegrades in 60 days, a new pen design with edible ink and compostable materials, coaxing
November 20, 2020 Read Full Article
8 Hauntingly Good Innovations, Plant-Based Hair Extensions, Bacardi Biodegradable Bottle, Cultured Steak on Mars, and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of October 30th
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) This week’s Top 8 Innovations are so good, it’s scary. From plant-based hair extensions that could come in handy for your Halloween costume, cultured meat so astronauts can enjoy steaks on Mars, and Barcardi making
October 30, 2020 Read Full Article
New Lignin-Splitting Method Inspired by Nature
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... “Bacteria and fungi break down plants through a number of different ways. When you see mushrooms growing on dead logs in a forest, they are breaking down the plant cell
October 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Biodiesel from Dirty Old Cooking Oil Just Got Way Easier
(RMIT University/EurekAlert!) New ultra-efficient catalyst can recycle old cooking oil into biodiesel and turn food scraps into high-value complex molecules -- Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food