Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Environment

Maryland Bug Boosts Biofuels

March 17, 2008 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 86, Issue 11

Scientists at the University of Maryland are scaling up production of new enzymes that break down cellulose into sugars for subsequent fermentation into ethanol. The enzymes were derived from the bacterium Saccharophagus degradans, isolated from grasses growing in Chesapeake Bay salt marshes. Steve Hutcheson and Ron Weiner, professors at the university's College of Chemical & Life Sciences, are patenting the mixture of enzymes contained in the bacterium and naming it "Ethazyme." Hutcheson founded a company, Zymetis, in 2006 to license the enzymes for biofuels production. Last week, Zymetis received a $50,000 grant from the State of Maryland. The company is working with Fiberight, a regional firm that processes waste cellulose such as paper, to establish a plant that converts such waste into ethanol.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.