Bacterium breaks down grass for biofuel
Microbe that anaerobically degrades plant biomass could help bring down the cost of biofuels
US scientists have discovered the first microorganism that anaerobically degrades plant biomass to release sugars for biofuel feedstocks. At present, this is the only known anaerobic microbe capable of solubilising all plant components – including cellulose, glucose, and lignin, which is extremely difficult to break down – at the same time and at similar rates.