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Research and Development
Journal article (abstract): http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2013/02/15/tpc.112.104752.abstract?sid=e4f829be-d21a-468c-a014-b838611561c6 Press release: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/fat-worms-inch-scientists-toward-better-biofuel-production/ A team of scientists from the Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin have enhanced the leaf triacylglycerol (TAG) content in Arabidopsis thaliana plant using a gene from a green alga. This breakthrough is an important advance in plant genetic engineering that may boost biofuel production. TAG is the predominant component of oil found in seeds or fruits of oil-producing plants. The possibility of producing high levels of TAG in the leaves of high biomass-producing plants has been thought as a potential approach to significantly increase biofuel production without compromising the availability of seed oils for food and feed. However, very few studies have been done to investigate this. The recent successful modification of leaf TAG content in Arabidopsis plant, reported in the journal The Plant Cell, provides a proof-of-concept that could be used for this purpose. The key to this oil enhancement is an enzyme specifically known as diacylglycerol acyltransferase type two (DGTT2) which is responsible for catalyzing the transfer of fatty acyl group and formation of TAG from diacylglycerol and acyl-CoA substrates. The DGTT2 enzyme used in the study was encoded by a gene from the photosynthetic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The expression of DGTT2 in Arabidopsis plant increased TAG content in vegetative tissues by altering the acyl carbon partitioning through a broad range of acyl-CoA substrates. The gain in energy density of the transgenic leaves was evident from the gain in weight of caterpillar larvae that were allowed to feed on them. According to Prof. Christoph Benning, the lead investigator, this proof-of-concept could be used to boost plants' oil production for biofuel use as well as improve the nutrition levels of animal feed. Journal article: http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/content/6/1/31 A study published in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels has identified new strains of fermenting bacteria that produce high ethanol yield from lignocellulosic biomass through a one-step bioconversion pathway called consolidated bioprocessing (CBP). Traditional processes use the typical two-step conversion involving the breakdown of cellulosic materials by the addition of cellulase enzymes followed by sugar conversion into ethanol by means of fermenting yeast strains. CBP allows a direct one-step conversion that eliminates the addition of expensive cellulase enzymes. A group of researchers from the German company Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH accomplished this by using mixtures of bacteria that produce lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and ferment the resulting sugars into ethanol, under high temperature conditions (>70 degrees Celsius). In a preliminary screening, the researchers identified some environmental strains of thermophilic bacteria of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor and Thermoanaerobacter. These strains complement each other to degrade the cellulose and hemicellulose components of lignocellulosic biomass and to metabolize the sugar molecules containing 5 and 6 carbons. The subsequent experiments revealed that some dual co-cultures of Caldicellulosiruptor and Thermoanaerobacter strains produced higher concentrations of ethanol from 2 to 8 fold increase compared to single cultures. The researchers concluded that these microbial mixtures provide an efficient CBP pathway for the production of second generation bioethanol or ethanol derived from lignocellulosic feedstock. Journal article (abstract): http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12155-012-9249-4 In India, researchers from the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) have demonstrated for the first time the production of bioethanol from red seaweed biomass with the help of a marine yeast strain, as reported in the March 2013 issue of Bioenergy Research journal. The potential of macroalgae, commonly known as seaweeds, as feedstock for bioethanol production has been recognized, but the fermentation process mediated by conventional yeast strains is hindered by high salt concentration in the seaweed sap. One needs to remove the salt from the sap by means of a sophisticated and expensive desalting process prior to fermentation if terrestrial yeast is used. The CMSRI researchers attempted to overcome this fermentation problem by employing a salt tolerant marine yeast strain isolated from the West coast of India. The ability and efficiency of the marine yeast strain was evaluated in a preliminary fermentation test using galactose sugar at varied salt concentrations. Subsequently the yeast was used to ferment saline sugar-rich sap or hydrolysate extracted from biomass of the red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii which is rich in carageenan polysaccharide composed of galactose sugar. The utility of the said yeast strain, later identified as Candida sp, for fermentation under saline condition was confirmed as it yielded ethanol ranging from 1.23 to 1.76 percent at varying sugar and salt contents. According to the researchers, this is the first organized study for the utilization of marine yeast for converting red algal biomass into ethanol under highly saline condition. Production and TradeNews article: http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/articles/8982/mou-signed-to-develop-jatropha-plantations-in-west-africa A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between biofuel crop developer JOil Pte. Ltd. and biofuel processor Agritech Faso SA will explore the planting of high yielding Jatropha curcas varieties for biofuels in more than 618,000 acres (250,000 hectares) of land intercropped with food crops within the next ten years in Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin. JOil will field test its elite Jatropha materials in Agritech farms as a prelude to any formal business arrangement between the two parties. The MOU embodies not only the development of Jatropha plantations but also the establishment of a refinery for biofuel production. The experience and reputation of the two companies in the bioenergy business are highlighted in this partnership. Having started commercial biofuel projects in 2007, Agritech is known for its proprietary community based intercropping models for Jatropha production and has already planted 4,000 hectares to Jatropha intercropped with food crops in West Africa. JOil is a big joint venture company involved in the development, propagation and sale of elite Jatropha seedlings and improved genetically modified seedlings for commercial cultivation as well as agronomy research and consultancy. It has operations in a number of Asian countries.
News article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/ethanol-wheat-idUSL1N0BZED820130307 News article: http://www.agrimarketing.com/s/80830 FAPRI Report: http://www.fapri.missouri.edu/outreach/press_releases/2013/FAPRI_PR_3-8-13.pdf US corn prices soared to record highs because of low production output in 2012 causing many bioethanol plants to temporarily halt production as profitability declined. US corn production dropped because of drought last year in many areas and shortage in feedstock supply has forced the prices to increase. As corn feedstock remains scarce, many ethanol producers are turning to alternative raw materials such as wheat and sorghum in order to meet the increasing demand for ethanol, which is blended into gasoline fuel. The use of sorghum as alternative or supplemental feedstock is becoming more attractive among ethanol producers because of its status as an advanced biofuel feedstock given by the Environmental Protection Agency and the financial incentives that go with that. However, US biorefiners are carefully weighing the pros and cons of corn alternatives. For example, mixing large amounts of wheat into corn at a plant dedicated to corn feedstock may be costly in the long run as this requires some operational adjustments as well as changes with some components such as enzymes and yeast. Some producers cite the potential loss of revenue from corn value added co-products such as corn oil as one of the economic considerations. Economists at the University of Missouri-based Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) announced that if good weather continues this year, a record 2013 corn production, lower corn prices and significant rebound in ethanol output are to be expected. While ethanol production declined in 2012/13, domestic demand is slightly changed with increased imports and reduced exports. FAPRI predicts that ethanol use will exceed the 10% blend wall. More users are encouraged to use higher-level blends because of rising value of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), certificates that demonstrate mandate compliance. News article: http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Algal_Biomass_Organization_Survey_Shows_Steady_Support_For_Algae_Biofuels-130953.html A survey of more than 470 algae industry contacts conducted in January 2013 by the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) shows that the industry is expected to increase production for biofuels and other alternative products in 2013 and compete with petrol products by 2020. According to survey results, 67 percent of algae producers have plans to expand capacity in 2013, and more than 90 percent overall believe that algae-based fuels will likely compete with fossil fuels by 2020. With reference to a question about which algal products will be produced, 28% of producers indicated they are targeting fuels markets, but there are many who also target feeds (35%), nutritional products or nutraceuticals (28%) and fertilizers (18%). The respondents also noted the role of favorable federal policy in order to accelerate job hiring and production toward a robust industry. The most important policy areas identified include research and development grants, commercialization grants and tax credits/incentives. News article: http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Masdar_Institute__UAE__Experts_Present_on_Algae_Biofuels_Potential-130981.html The United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be an ideal place to develop a world class and internationally competitive algal biofuel industry and become an industry leader, according to experts from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. The presentation on the UAE's growth and export potential in the algal biofuels sector was done during the AlgaeWorld MENA 2013 Conference, Seminar and Summit that was held from February 25-27 in Dubai. UAE's native algae have evolved to grow under a wide range of temperatures and salinities. The development and production of these algal strains for biofuels are not expected to compete with the fresh water supply or with food production but can be used to supplement the growth of the aquaculture industry in the country. In addition, UAE can utilize its vast desert for algae cultivation with properly designed facility so that it will not have an impact in the marine ecosystem of the Arabian Gulf. The establishment of algae-for-biofuel industry in the UAE is expected to boost its biofuel export potential and create a unique algal knowledge base that will allow the UAE to also export the necessary know-how for implementing this industry in other parts the world. Commercial venture into biofuel is still in the implementation and growth phase in the UAE. Currently biofuel-related research activities are being undertaken in Masdar Institute's Algae Research Laboratory and Microbial Environmental and Chemical Engineering Laboratory (MECEL). Policy and Regulation
News article: http://domesticfuel.com/2013/03/06/how-to-ensure-biofuel-crops-dont-become-weeds/ Paper: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2013/03/030613-cals-weedsarticle.pdf Bioenergy crop producers in the United States have been under scrutiny for promoting potentially invasive species as energy crops in trying to meet growing biofuel mandates. A recent paper published in Bioscience magazine has put this issue at the forefront and proposed ways to prevent biofuel crops in the pipeline from becoming noxious or invasive weeds that may inflict serious ecological and economic damage. The paper titled Navigating the "Noxious" and "Invasive" Regulatory Landscape: Suggestions for Improved Regulation calls for a number of regulatory and industrial reforms to address the problem of invasiveness as a consequence of introducing or farming biofuel crops that have not been thoroughly evaluated. The paper recommends the updating of official noxious weed list for different production regions in the US in a manner that prevents the introduction of new or known invaders without undue restriction against low risk species along with the establishment or strengthening of Invasive Species Councils (ISC) that will develop objective and science-based weed risk assessment protocols. The report also endorses additional steps that industry should take before commercialization to prevent invasion such as subjecting their crops to thorough weed risk assessment, ensuring that plant traits in the breeding program are not associated with invasiveness, conducting field trials and providing data to the ISC. News article: http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/9625/pending-minnesota-bill-gears-up-for-e15-biobutanol A pending legislation in Minnesota (USA) is preparing the way for E15 (15 percent ethanol blended fuel) as it aims to displace 30 percent petroleum by 2025. Biofuels make up about 11 percent of the transportation fuel mix in Minnesota. The new Senate bill 448 and its companion House bill 462, will allow the state to achieve its goal of 30 percent biofuels by 2025. The first step up is targeted for 14 percent biofuels by 2015, followed by 18 percent by 2017, 25 percent by 2020 and 30 percent by 2025. The bill seeks to accommodate not only bioethanol but all biofuels that are approved by the US. Environmental Protection Agency. It also covers isobutanol or biobutanol. The bill was a product of a consensus developed by the Biofuels Advisory Taskforce made up of 25 stakeholders from the ethanol, biobutanol, environmental and other biofuel subject matter experts that met several times to figure out how to keep current ethanol industry strong while opening up the market to a whole host of biofuels. Events and Announcementshttp://www.biomassconference.com/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=Home What: A conference where future and existing producers of biobased power, fuels and thermal energy products go to network with waste generators and other industry suppliers and technology providers. It will bring together project developers, utility executives, researchers and technology developers, venture capitalists, Fortune 500 executives, influential policy makers, farmers and foresters. When: April 8-10, 2013 Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
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