German researchers identify new enzyme to convert xylose to ethanol in a single step; eliminates costly two-step process for cellulosic ethanol

In Germany, researchers at Goethe-University Frankfurt have developed a new process to convert xylose to ethanol by genetically modifying yeasts that previously would only convert glucose. The researchers discovered a new bacterial enzyme and inserted it into yeast cells. The research, which is published in Applied Environmental Microbiology, demonstrates that xylose can be converted in a single step, compared to a previous process which required that the xylose, or waste sugar, be first converted into glucose before yeast fermentation could occur.

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