The patent, – Hydrolytic Enzyme Mixtures For Saccharification of Lignocellulosic Polysaccharides, is for cell wall degradive systems have several applications, particularly to produce cellulosic ethanol used in the generation of biofuels. The enzymes bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose.
Aemetis board member Dr Steven Hutcheson said that the saccharophagus degradans microbe contains more than 90 enzymes that break down plant material.
"Cell wall degradation is a foundational attribute of the Z-microbe enzymes, enabling the release of a new source of less expensive cellulosic sugar for use in fuels and chemicals production," Hutcheson added.
Aemetis chairman and CEO Eric McAfee remarked that the patented Z-microbe technology is being developed to reduce feedstock costs, carbon intensity and energy use while enabling the synergistic, integrated production of advanced fuels and industrial biochemicals from renewable feedstocks.
"We use these Aemetis technologies to convert and expand existing biofuels and oil refining facilities to produce high value renewable fuels and biochemicals at a lower cost than petroleum products," McAfee said.
