Bug boosts biomass

Half the automotive fuel in the United States could be replaced with ethanol from renewable agricultural crops and forest wastes, says a

researcher who has developed a biotechnology “bug” that converts biomass and other farm wastes into fuel.

“We can reduce our dependence on imported oil and lower the price of automotive fuel by reformulating our gasoline with ethanol derived from inexpensive farm wastes,” said Lonnie Ingram, a professor of microbiology with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

His breakthrough technology – a genetically engineered E. coli bacteria – produces fuel ethanol from farm wastes such as corn stems, cobs and leaves. A related technology can be used to produce biodegradable plastics from biomass.

“With the cost of imported oil reaching record highs, we can use this new technology to produce ethanol for about $1.30 a gallon,” he said. “Ethanol will stretch the nation’s fuel supply and make gasoline burn more cleanly. Gasoline-ethanol blends also boost the octane rating of automotive fuel.”