Improved fermentations using transgenic rice and switchgrass. Production of commodity chemicals.
- Detailed Technology Description
- Application(Product)Productionof biofuels and commodity chemicals from biomass. ProblemsAddressed (benefits/advantages)Biomass is a renewable resource that has shownpromise to replace petroleum based fuels. A promising type of biomass known as lignocellulosic consists ofcellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin and lignin. However, the cost of converting this type of biomass into fuel has notbeen cost competitive as traditional processes result in a low yield ofbiofuel. The primary reason for the lowyield is that over time plants, and particularly their cell walls, have builtup a resistance to being easily broken down (i.e., "recalcitrance"). Hence, current processes require a highvolume of biochemical solutions to convert a plant's stored sugar into biofueland other high-value commodities.
- *Abstract
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TechnologySummary
Dr. Mohnen’s group at The University of Georgia hassuccessfully modified rice and switchgrass resulting in improved growth, sugaryield and ethanol yield from fermentation.
The invention seeks to overcome the afore-mentioned costbarriers by producing transgenic plants with more favorable characteristics forconversion into fuel and other commodities. In this case an improvedbiomass-to-fuel conversion was achieved by genetically modifying rice andswitchgrass, both of which are fast growing and rich in carbohydrates that canbe converted into fuels. Specifically,the focus of this research was on modifying plant pectins, which are complexcarbohydrates that are found in cell walls and other structures.
The specific genetic modification implemented was theoverexpression of an esterase gene in rice (Oryza sp.) and switch grass(Panicum virgatum). This noveltransgenic plants resulted in a larger biomass yield compared to study controlsand wild rice. Furthermore, fermentationof sugars extracted from the novel plant led to improved ethanol yield ( 18% to56% vs. wild type).
Advantagesand Some Potential Applications
Increased biomass to biofuel yield throughtransgenic plants will have a significant impact on the industry due to reducedcosts.
Applicable to the production of non-fuelcommodities (e.g., organic acids) from fermentation of sugars
The transgenic modifications are applicable toa large variety of other plants, including grasses, such as, bamboo sugar caneand miscanthus.
The variety of plants that would benefitinclude switchgrass, turf grass, wheat, maize, rice and various types of woodyplants.
Inventors
Debra Mohnen, A.K. Biswal
TechnologyDevelopment and IP Status
Tested in lab scale with very good yields.
PCT filed
- Country/Region
- USA
