Bio Fuels From Enzymes Of Termites!

Even as the crude oil prices are increasing, fuels such as Gasoline and diesel will be obsolete one day and hence scientists are trying to research on topics like Bio fuels. As Bio fuels are a need of time,  putting a small step ahead, researchers at Purdue University have devised a new technique helpful in production of these bio fuels. Purdue researchers have found out enzymes which can break down the woody mass to produce these fuels.

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Mike Scharf explaining his research work

Until now, Termites were only looked upon as an insect with no special use other than cleaning of organic debris in nature. A team of scientists led by Mike Scharf, the O. Wayne Rollins/Orkin Chair in Molecular Physiology and Urban Entomology however have discovered three enzymes in the guts of these tiny insects which boost the production of bio fuels. The team has also realized the importance of symbionts from the termite’s digestive system. Earlier it was thought that Symbionts (a type of small protozoa in termite’s digestive system) are only useful in digestion. The latest research suggests that similar to various enzymes, they too secrete sugars from the woody biomass. The group has tried to integrate the functions of Symbionts with the enzymes to make the technology effective in Bio fuel production.

Speaking of the enzymes, Scharf said that when a biomass is subjected to the three enzymes, they work on three different portions of the biomass. Two out of three release Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and Pentose ( C₅H₁₀O₅). The third one is responsible for decomposition of Lignin-A resistance offered by Plant cells to prevent release of the mentioned sugars. Scharf’s team, for further developing the technique partnered with a protein production company  Chesapeake Perl to produce large amounts, even synthetic versions of these enzymes. They simply introduced the genes responsible for production of these enzymes  in a virus and then it was fed to the caterpillars to create a bulk quantity.

The research was focused on measuring the sugar outputs from the enzymes in Termites and the symbionts. The team’s study has been published in the online version of journal PLoS One. Further research on still higher sugar secretion by the symbionts and enzymes are next on the list of Purdue scientists.

Source: Termites' digestive system could act as biofuel refinery