Biotech Updates

Spartan Corn for Cars

May 11, 2007

The leaves and stalks of a new corn variety developed by Michigan State University (MSU) researchers are just as important as its kernels. The corn variety contains enzymes that can easily break down the cellulose and hemicellulose into simple sugars in their leaves for the production of ethanol. In this way, the production of ethanol will be more cost-effective and efficient. Mariam Sticklen, an MSU professor of crop and soil sciences, said that not only the farmers can sell the corn grains but also the leaves and stalks for ethanol production. "What is now a waste product will become an economically viable commodity."

Read the news release at http://newsroom.msu.edu/site/indexer/3080/content.htm