In Washington, the FDA approved bulk trials of a new corn seed from Syngenta which contains the corn amylase enzyme, after positive results from pilot trials. The Anglo-Swiss group company said that it has developed a means of growing the enzyme directly in the corn seeds, removing the need to ship enzymes to ethanol plants and introduce them into the conversion process. The company says its expects to have the seed ready for the 2009 growing season.
Enzymes have been the subject of intense interest in the past year, particularly for cellulosic ethanol. Shell has purchased an undisclosed stake in stake in Codexis, a cellulosic ethanol enzymes developer. VeraSun took a stake in the Q Microbe, also related to cellulosic ethanol development.
What do you think? What do you think this story means for bioenergy? Leave a comment below and get the community engaged on what you see as the real issues - others will be glad you did!
Top Story:
The Wall Street Journal editorialized on flagging support for ethanol mandates and subsidies. The editorial noted with approval Texas Senator John Cornyn's comment that his efforts -- to...
In Washington, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is in a comments period through July 6th on a petition from Syngenta to deregulate corn genetically engineered to produce a m...
In California, EdeniQ said that it has commenced a multi-year, field-to-fuel trial to evaluate low-carbon, non-food energy crops, like switchgrass, in the Central Valley. The company commenced a pilot...
Researchers at Auburn University are reporting that they have developed enzyme additives that will allow poultry producers to replace traditional grain animal feed with dried distillers grains. By add...
In Michigan, Franuhofer and the University of Michigan announced a program that will award $400,000 in seed grants for projects that support alternative transportation fuels. The Michigan Memorial Pho...
In Colorado, the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels has awarded $600,000 in seed grants to 12 biorefining and biofuel process projects. Each project will receive $50,000. A total of 45 group...