Meet the Fuel Bug

Ethanol fuel has been touted as our current best alternative to fossil fuels, and corn has been the primary source of ethanol. But a significant side effect is that ethanol from corn is a threat to the stability of the world’s food supply. So the Holy Grail for ethanol producers has been to find a way to substitute bio-waste products — the stems, stalks and chips — instead of food crops. A great use for grass clippings! Well, the Grail is now in sight, at least it’s in the lab. Dartmouth’s Lee Lynd co-authored a new study that describes how a genetically-engineered bacteria called ALK2 can break down cellulose more efficiently and cheaper than conventional microbes. Lynd says that the engineered bug does its munching at higher temperatures than conventional bugs, which requires far less of the pricey enzyme cellulase to do the job. And while acids are byproducts of conventional fermentation, the hi-tech bacteria make ethanol — and only ethanol. Giant implications from tiny bugs.