Illinois researchers develop low-cost path to cellulosic ethanol enzymes

In Illinois, researchers announced the discovery that new enzymes, able to be grown in corn,  will break down plant cellulose for cellulosic ethanol production. Typical enzymes are grown in energy-intensive bioreactors, and are a significant cost factor in cellulosic ethanol. The researchers await more testing to determine whether their cocktail of three enzymes will have sufficient strength to break, rather than soften, the cellulose wall.

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