Bacteria provide route to future fuels

An innovative future fuel source could be provided by bacteria, according to researchers working with the US Department of Energy (DOE). Strains of Escherichia colibacteria have been developed that are able to digest switchgrass biomass and then synthesise the sugars into three transportation fuels.
April 26, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
An innovative future fuel source could be provided by bacteria, according to researchers working with the 5275 US Department of Energy (DOE). Strains of Escherichia colibacteria have been developed that are able to digest switchgrass biomass and then synthesise the sugars into three transportation fuels.

The work has been carried out by the DOE’s 5287 Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and the initial results suggest that the bacteria can carry out this process without the need for help from enzyme additives. The JBEI claims that using the bacteria will cut a significant cost out of processing switchgrass biomass into fuel by removing the need for expensive enzymes to depolymerise cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars. According to the JBEI, this will allow a major reduction in fuel production costs by consolidating the depolymerisation of cellulose and hemicellulose into sugars, and fermenting the sugars into fuels, into a single step.

A paper in the 5288 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) describes this work. The paper is called, "Synthesis of three advanced biofuels from ionic liquid-pretreated switchgrass using engineered Escherichia coli."

JBEI researchers engineered strains of the bacteria to express several enzymes that enable them to digest cellulose and hemicellulose. This is the first successful demonstration of the production of all three forms of transportation fuels (petrol, kerosene and diesel) using switchgrass, one of the highest potential feedstocks for advanced biofuels.

The cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic strains of the bacteria can be combined as co-cultures on a sample of switchgrass. These were further engineered with three metabolic pathways allowing the bacteria to produce fuel substitute or precursor molecules suitable for petrol, diesel and kerosene.

Related Content

  • Carry on Movin’ On - Michelin’s mobility event
    October 15, 2018
    Many of the great and the good in the global mobility sector gathered at this year’s Movin’ On event in Montreal. Measured regulation of technologies and safety issues were major themes, reports David Arminas Autonomous vehicles, platooning, smart intersections and safety – these were the talking points over two and half days of the Movin’ On event in Montreal. Everyone in the mobility sector is at the same point, trying to see what mobility will look like in the future. Apparent at the event was just
    Read More
  • The Preston Western Distributor
    September 7, 2023
    Costain, as main contractor for the Preston Western Distributor project, was involved from the earliest stages, thanks to the UK’s Early Contractor Involvement approach. The project was delivered on time and on budget to the benefit of the local environment, local businesses and the region’s workforce. David Arminas reports*
    Read More
  • New methods allow concrete testing on the spot
    July 20, 2015
    This month we look at two new methods which are allowing concrete to be tested on the spot, and [over the page] we catch up on the latest news from concrete testing equipment suppliers - Kristina Smith writes Sometimes test results can be very bad news. If the concrete pavement or bridge abutment has already been poured, and if the concrete does not meet the specification, the outcome could be very expensive remedial work.
    Read More
  • Successful Eurobitume conference in Istanbul
    June 26, 2012
    The Eurasphalt & Eurobitume 2012 event in Turkey has attracted record attendance figures - Mike Woof reports A strong focus on sustainability has been the focus for the 5th Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress held in June 2012 at Turkey’s Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar Congress Centre. The conference had as its theme: Asphalt, the sustainable road to success and attracted the highest ever number of attendees for this four yearly event. In one of the opening presentations Turkey’s transport minister, Binali Yildirim, sp
    Read More

Highlighted Content