Conversion of cellulose to ethanol by mesophilic bacteria. Proposal for continuation of DOE Contract DE-AC02-81ER10878
The project objective is to study the genetics of mesophilic anaerobic bacteria that ferment cellulose to ethanol. Bacteria used in this investigation are strains of Clostridium that (1) convert to ethanol not only cellulose, but also components of the hemicellulosic portion of biomass and (2) are relatively ethanol tolerant. Studies include plasmid analysis and fine-structure mapping of genes involved in the breakdown of cellulose to soluble sugars. These genes code for cellulase system enzymes such as endo-1,4-..beta..-glucanases, exo-1,4-..beta..-glucanases, ..beta..-glucosidases, and cellobiose phosphorylase. The research includes characterization of cellulase system enzymes present in ethanol-producing mesophilic clostridia as well as enzymes used by these bacteria in the breakdown of hemicellulosic components. This work will provide fundamental information on the genetics of cellulose-fermenting, ethanol-producing clostridia. This information will be valuable for understanding metabolic processes used by anaerobic bacteria to degrade cellulose, and for developing clostridial strains that can be used in the industrial conversion of biomass to ethanol. Finally, the research will elucidate basic aspects of the genetics of clostridia. At present, very little is known about the genetic systems of this large group of anaerobic bacteria. 5 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Univ., Amherst (USA). Dept. of Microbiology
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-81ER10878
- OSTI ID:
- 5965715
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/10878-T3; ON: DE86009000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Conversion of cellulose to ethanol by mesophilic bacteria. Progress report, July 15, 1983-February 15, 1985
Conversion of cellulose to ethanol by mesophilic bacteria. Progress report and third year budget
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CELLULASE
GEL PERMEATION CHROMATOGRAPHY
CLOSTRIDIUM
GENETIC ENGINEERING
GLUCOSIDASE
DNA-CLONING
ZYMOMONAS MOBILIS
BIODEGRADATION
CELLULOSE
BACTERIA
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
CLONING
DECOMPOSITION
ENZYMES
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROLASES
MICROORGANISMS
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
090222* - Alcohol Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
550200 - Biochemistry