The Agricultural Research Service has discovered a process that converts ethanol coproducts into sweeteners. According to Agricultural Research Service scientists, the process involves the conversion of corn fiber into xylitol, a valuable, low-calories sweetener with a minty taste used to sweeten sugarless gum. Xylitol is also added to mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Adding a second batch of yeast (Pichia guilliermondii) enables the yeast to make xylitol from xylose, a leftover sugar from fermented corn. The biological conversion of xylose to xylitol could be more economical than the chemical conversion process used in Finland as less energy would be needed.

More information on this new product can be found on the Agricultural Research Service's web site at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/000703.htm