. Earth Science News .
Producing Bio-Ethanol From Agricultural Waste A Step Closer

A corn silo at an Ethanol plant.
by Staff Writers
Delft, The Netherlands (SPX) Jun 09, 2006
Research conducted by Delft University of Technology has brought the efficient production of the environmentally-friendly fuel bio-ethanol a great deal closer to fruition. The work of Delft researcher Marko Kuyper was an important factor in this. His research in recent years has greatly improved the conversion of certain sugars from agricultural waste to ethanol.

On Tuesday 6 June, Kuyper received his PhD degree for his research into the subject.

The search for alternatives to the current, oil-based, fuels is the focus of great interest around the world. One of the most attractive alternatives is bio-ethanol - alcohol produced from agricultural crops. At present, bio-ethanol is only made from sugars derived from corncobs, sugar beets, grain and sugarcane, with the help of baker's yeast.

A great number of by-products result from the cultivation of these crops, such as straw and corn husks. It would be a major step forward if this leftover material, which also largely consists of sugar, could be used for the production of bio-ethanol. This would allow agricultural land to be used more efficiently and at the same time prevent competition with food supplies.

Until recently, the problem was that the complex mixture of sugars that makes up these leftover materials could not be efficiently converted into ethanol by the baker's yeast. Delft University of Technology, however, has recently devised a solution for this, which is achieved by genetically modifying the baker's yeast.

The Delft researchers have inserted a gene (derived from a fungus that is found in elephant faeces) into baker's yeast, allowing it to convert an important sugar type, xylose, into ethanol, thereby making the production of bio-ethanol from supplies of leftover materials possible.

During his recent PhD research, Marko Kuyper greatly improved this method: people can now start using agricultural waste products that contain sugar to produce bio-ethanol on an industrial scale. Delft University of Technology and the Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation are working together on this project with Royal Nedalco and BIRD Engineering. These parties expect to achieve large-scale industrial implementation within 5 years.

Related Links
Delft University of Technology

Policy Makers Draw Up List Of Top 100 Ecological Questions
London, UK (SPX) Jun 09, 2006
Environmental policy makers have come up with a list of the "top 100" ecological questions most in need of an answer. The list, published online in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology, is the result of an innovative experiment involving more than 600 environmental policy makers and academics.







  • Sinking Levees
  • Future Hurricane Disasters May Become More Costly
  • Indonesia to make community grants for quake reconstruction
  • Tough start for Indonesia's quake babies

  • Annan Warns Of Poverty And Conflict As Deserts Expand
  • Researcher Offers Insights On Development Of Arid Semiarid Landscapes
  • Global Greenhouse Cooked Up A Hot Stew Of Life
  • Climate change could fuel fiercer hurricane cycles: researchers

  • Global Ecology Inks Partnership With Japanese Satellite Firm
  • First CloudSat Images Wowing Scientists
  • UAE To Monitor Construction Sites Via Satellite
  • Free as a Bird Or Under Surveillance

  • Policy Makers Draw Up List Of 'Top 100' Ecological Questions
  • Producing Bio-Ethanol From Agricultural Waste A Step Closer
  • Environment Agency Rejects Gorgon Natural Gas Project
  • Wind Energy Research Reaps Rewards

  • Large-Scale Genomics Project Will Hunt Genes Behind Common Childhood Diseases
  • H5N1 Signature May Help Detection
  • Plant Diseases Threaten Chocolate Production Worldwide
  • UN Reports AIDS Progress, But

  • Female Birds Boost Up Their Eggs When Hearing Sexy Song
  • French Farm Offers Hope For Endangered Asian Crocs
  • Brain Region Linked To Fly Slumber
  • The Mini-Dinosaurs From The Harz Mountains

  • Sandia Tool Speeds Up Environmental Cleanup, Reopening Of Contaminated Facilities
  • India Court Allows Toxic Ship Into Territorial Waters
  • Decades Of Acid Rain Is Causing Loss Of Valuable Northeast Sugar Maples
  • Air pollution rife in India's villages: report

  • Evidence Human Activities Have Shaped Large-Scale Ecological Patterns
  • Ancient Human Fossils Find Modern Virtual Home
  • Ancient DNA Sequence Allows New Look At Neandertals Diversity
  • Chaco Canyon: A Place Of Kings And Palaces

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement