Enzyme mixture 'quickens conversion of biomass to biofuel'

Researchers have discovered an enzyme mixture that could reduce the steps needed to covert biomass to biofuel.

Scientists at Virginia Tech have released the findings of their biofuel testing in the article Biohydrogenation from Biomass Sugar Mediated by in vitro Synthetic Enzymatic Pathways.

It demonstrates how an enzyme cocktail of 12 purified enzymes and coenzymes works in the presence of hydrolysate, meaning the detoxification step is unnecessary.

YH Percival Zhang, associate professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech, said the biofuel testing results suggest that the enzyme systems "do not require high-purity substrates for biotransformation".

He added: "In other words, after pre-treatment, we can do bioconversion directly, followed by chemical catalysis."

Removing the detoxification process will help to reduce the cost of producing biofuels and increase biofuel yields, the researchers noted.

The study will be published in the February 25th issue of the journal Chemistry & Biology, which contains articles that provide an insight into biological function and mechanism.