Method developed to generate bioethanol from seaweeds+

SENDAI, Japan, Aug. 14 Kyodo -
A group of scientists from Tohoku University and Tohoku Electric Power Co. has
developed a technology to efficiently generate bioethanol from seaweeds such as
sea tangle and sea grape, group members said Saturday.
The technology uses natural yeast discovered by the group as well as a new
fermentation method, according to the group led by Minoru Sato, professor of
marine biochemistry at Tohoku University.
Bioethanol is a form of renewable energy obtained mainly through the sugar
fermentation process but its production has been blamed for eating into
supplies of food grains, such as corn and sugarcane.
The new technology is expected to help address the global food problem in the
future while contributing to environmental protection, the scientists said.
The technology will also help seaside power plants get rid of seaweeds which
are regarded as a nuisance, as they obstruct power generation operation by
getting into the intake for power plant cooling water.
The scientists mixed finely cut seaweeds with enzymes and blend the substance
well to melt into a pulp before adding the natural yeast to ferment it. In two
weeks, they succeeded in generating 200 millileters of bioethanol from 1
kilogram of seaweed.
Japan has large reserves of sea tangle and sea grape in its surrounding seas,
while Tohoku Electric Power's thermal power plant in the town of Shichigahama,
Miyagi Prefecture, annually sees 300 tons of seaweeds flowing into its intake
for cooling waters, the scientists said.
==Kyodo
2010-08-14 23:33:56


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