E.coli used for biofuel

Scientists could use Escherichia coli (better known as E. coli) to develop a biofuel product.

Researchers with the US Department of Energy (DOE)'s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have engineered strains of the bacteria, which is more commonly associated with illness, that can digest switchgrass biomass and create sugars that could be used to replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.

Furthermore, the E.coli can undertake the process without any help from enzyme additives.

"This work shows that we can reduce one of the most expensive parts of the biofuel production process, the addition of enzymes to depolymerize cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars," says Jay Keasling, chief executive officer of JBEI and leader of this research.

The development will make the production of biofuel significantly less expensive and could pave the way for advanced and competitive biofuels.

Many organisations are now trialling biofuel products in order to offer cleaner, greener services.

Posted by Claire Manning