Heat Loving Bacteria Could Boost Ethanol Production

Wyoming, USA (AHN) - Researchers are studying samples of light thriving bacteria that could boost production of ethanol.

The bacteria is called Chloracidobacterium termophilum. It was discovered in hot springs and a pool in Yellowstone National Park where water temperature ranges from 120 to 150 degrees.

Don Bryant, research team leader from the Penn State University, reported that the bacteria can do photosynthesis, meaning it has the ability to produce energy from sunlight.

Bryant theorized that the bacteria get carbon from the wastes of other bacteria and they grow faster on light. He said such bacteria could be useful to other researchers looking for other ways to produce ethanol.

Microbiologists have been conducting studies on bacteria's potentials for production of biofuels in recent years.

Science Daily reported in 2006 that researchers from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico have genetically engineered Bacillus subtilis to directly ferment glucose sugar to ethanol.