Grainnet

Date Posted: February 21, 2008

by Myke Feinman, BioFuels Journal Editor

Dr. Paul Attfield studies breeding yeast for the prduction of cellulosic ethanol.

Two Australian researchers are studying how to produce cellulosic ethanol from yeast derived from natural selection instead of genetic manipulation.

Head of Research Dr. Phillip Bell and Head of Operations Dr. Paul Attfield at MicroBioGen Pty. Ltd., North Ryde, Australia are working to breed a second generation yeast through natural means that is capable of feeding on the sugar (xylose) in cellulose.

In contrast to conventional starch-based ethanol production, yeast used to produce cellulosic ethanol is unable to ferment the biomass-derived sugar (xylose) without genetic manipulation or natural selection.

Scientists have previously looked to genetic manipulation to produce a yeast capable of fermenting xylose sugars to cellulosic ethanol.

"Humans have used breeding successfully through the ages to improve crops and farm animals, etc., without needing to know the detailed genetic basis for the characteristics they've sought," Bell said.

"For this reason, a natural selection (breeding) approach seems to make sense," Bell added.

"Our scientists discovered that natural strains of yeast can in fact grow, albeit at very slow rates, on xylose as a sole carbon source," said Attfield.

The yeast initially took seven days to grow noticeably on xylose, said Attfield, but by using breeding selection techniques, his company is speeding up the process for application to commercial ethanol production.

First Version Ready for Trial

"It is important to note that Microbiogen's naturally enhanced yeast strains are already capable of using xylose very efficiently," said Bell.

He said the company is already in a position to commence trials of the latest versions of the second generation strains.

For more information, call 61-2-9870-7034.

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