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U.S. Department of Energy
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Ethanol production via fungal decomposition and fermentation of biomass, Phase 1. Progress report, FY 1980

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6240163

This work was motivated by recorded evidence that Fusarium strains decompose cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectic substances, and lignin, and also ferment both pentoses and hexoses to ethanol. During FY 1980, research efforts in this program's Phase I focused on: (a) collecting and reviewing relevant bibliographic materials for a forthcoming publication; (b) isolating, culturing, and maintaining Fusarium, Trichoderma, and actinomycetous strains for biochemical screening and evaluation; (c) manipulating the genetic constitution of promising Fusarium strains to develop more effective strains for the decomposition and fermentation of biomass; (d) screening for potentially cellulolytic Fusarium and Trichoderma strains; (e) searching for lignolytic and hemicellulolytic Fusarium strains; and (f) screening for effective pentose- and hexose-fermenting Fusarium strains. By September 1980, more than 500 Fusarium strains and about 150 Trichoderma strains had been isolated and screened; all showed cellulolytic activity, with forty-five of the Fusarium strains being exceptionally potent. Several Fusarium strains grown on xylan show a dimorphism (formation of fusoid cells) that may increase their fermenting ability. Several isolated Fusarium strains were active in fermenting pentose and hexose.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6240163
Report Number(s):
ANL/EES-TM-147; ON: DE82000103
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English