A new approach to turning potato waste into ethanol could cut the cost significantly. Researchers at Penn State University have developed a biofilm reactor that causes the two processes involved - saccharification and fermentation - to take place simultaneously. The researchers say their method is more efficient than current methods of converting starch from potatoes into ethanol, which are expensive because they require high temperatures for both processes. The research findings suggest the use of biofilm reactors would significantly reduce bioethanol production costs.
A new approach to turning potato waste into ethanol could cut the cost significantly. Researchers at Penn State University have developed a biofilm reactor that causes the two processes involved - saccharification and fermentation - to take place simultaneously. The new method makes production possible at a lower temperature, and without the need for pre-treatment with commercial enzymes. The research findings suggest the use of biofilm reactors would significantly reduce bioethanol production costs.