U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Looks to Improve Ethanol Production Efficiencies

Researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Albany, California have developed an improved enzyme that may allow lower temperatures for ethanol production, thereby potentially increasing energy efficiency and reducing production costs. The researchers have developed variants of a natural starch-degrading enzyme that breaks down starch at about 99 degrees Fahrenheit, compared with 223 degrees today. These findings could provide additional outlets for wheat, barley and other grains as well as the use of nonfood agricultural products.