Energy News  
BIO FUEL
Research shows how genetics can contribute for advances in 2G ethanol production
by Staff Writers
Sao Paulo, Brazil (SPX) Apr 17, 2018

illustration only

Production of second-generation (2G) ethanol from sugarcane requires enzymatic hydrolysis, in which enzymes from microorganisms act together to break down and convert the carbohydrates in sugarcane straw and bagasse into sugars capable of undergoing fermentation.

Understanding the genetic mechanisms that regulate the control and production of hydrolytic enzymes by microorganisms is considered fundamental to improving the technology used in this process.

Important knowledge of the different biological mechanisms behind the control and production of hydrolytic enzymes specifically by fungi has been garnered by a group of researchers at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, partnering with colleagues from the National Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE), which belongs to the National Energy and Materials Research Center (CNPEM) in Campinas, and from Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ).

Conducted as part of a project supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP, the study was published in Scientific Reports.

"Our discoveries can contribute to the development of enzymes for inclusion in enzymatic cocktails used to produce 2G ethanol and other products," said Anete Pereira de Souza, a professor at UNICAMP and principal investigator for the project, in an interview given to Agencia FAPESP.

The researchers analyzed the genetic mechanisms involved in the secretion and expression of enzymes used by three species of fungus to degrade sugarcane. The species were Trichoderma harzianum, T. reesei and T. atroviride.

These fungi are frequently found in soil and growing on wood, bark and even other fungi, as well as many other substrates. They hydrolyze various kinds of carbohydrate, including the cellulose in sugarcane straw and bagasse, by means of enzymes present in their cell walls.

The researchers used several techniques in biotechnology and bioinformatics to find out whether the enzymes produced by the three Trichoderma species have similarities and differences that may enhance or limit their efficiency in breaking down biomass, as well as whether they behave synergistically during this process.

They first measured the activity levels of enzymes secreted by the three fungal species during fermentation of bagasse, pure cellulose and sugarcane glucose. To do this, they counted and analyzed the proteins present in these three different substrates at the height of the biodegradation process.

They then used a high-throughput RNA-sequencing technique called RNA-seq to identify the genes expressed. Through the use of bioinformatics tools, they compared the data and were able to pinpoint gene networks that are co-regulated by the three fungal species and could be essential for biomass breakdown by these microorganisms.

"We identified highly synergistic gene co-regulation networks involved in enzymatic degradation of sugarcane biomass by the three fungal species," said Jaire Alves Ferreira Filho, who is studying for a PhD in genetics and molecular biology at UNICAMP and is one of the authors of the FAPESP-funded study.

High degree of synergy
The researchers identified 80 proteins and their respective genes shared by the three fungal species. They found 19 of these proteins in all three fungal species.

The 19 proteins and their respective genes are involved in the production and secretion of hydrolytic enzymes and are associated with different fungal mechanisms of biomass breakdown, the researchers explained.

The elucidation of genetic relationships between the sets of genes provides important information for the development of recombinant microorganisms with potential industrial applications, they added, while simultaneously contributing to the understanding of the synergistic reactions among enzymes.

"Our detailed description of these reactions will lead to significant advances. It provides a sound basis for the use of genetic information in the production of biofuels and countless biocompounds," said Maria Augusta Crivelente Horta, first author of the article.

Research paper


Related Links
Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo
Bio Fuel Technology and Application News


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


BIO FUEL
Algae-forestry, bioenergy mix could help make CO2 vanish from thin air
Ithaca NY (SPX) Apr 16, 2018
An unconventional melange of algae, eucalyptus and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage appears to be a quirky ecological recipe. But, scientists from Cornell University, Duke University, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo have an idea that could use that recipe to help power and provide food protein to large regions of the world - and simultaneously remove carbon dioxide from Earth's atmosphere. "Algae may be the key to unlocking an important negative-emissions technology to combat climate ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

BIO FUEL
A whispering gallery for light boosts solar cells

Perovskite technology is scalable, but questions remain about the best methods

Double perovskites in environmentally friendly solar cells

Light 'relaxes' crystal to boost solar cell efficiency

BIO FUEL
Exxon resumes LNG operations in Papua New Guinea after quake

Signs of balance, or even a deficit, lift oil prices higher

Oil markets getting pretty tight, IEA says

Trudeau in 'financial' talks to resolve heated pipeline dispute

BIO FUEL
Tiny Sea Creatures Hold Secrets to Earth's Climate

First direct observations of methane's increasing greenhouse effect at the Earth's surface

Climate change makes mountain tops bloom, for now

Some US states press ahead on climate change goals, despite Trump

BIO FUEL
Tungsten 'too brittle' for nuclear fusion reactors

New sodium-ion electrolyte may find use in solid-state batteries

New technology could wean the battery world off cobalt

The raw power of human motion

BIO FUEL
Algae-forestry, bioenergy mix could help make CO2 vanish from thin air

Removing the brakes on plant oil production

NUS engineers pioneer greener and cheaper technique for biofuel production

Notre Dame researchers developing renewable energy approach for producing ammonia

BIO FUEL
With bikes, transit, Uber unveils urban transport vision

EU unveils new consumer protections after 'dieselgate' scandal

US investigating fatal Tesla crash in California

Tesla says 'Autopilot' was engaged during fatal crash

BIO FUEL
Organic fertilizers are an overlooked source of microplastic pollution

Fixing soybean's need for nitrogen

Hybrid swarm in global mega-pest

In Cambodia, fears tarantula may go off the menu

BIO FUEL
Thin engineered material perfectly redirects and reflects sound

'Everything-repellent' coating could kidproof phones, homes

Programming: a highly sought talent in Silicon Valley

Swansea scientists discover greener way of making plastics









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.