Agency:

Forest Service

Technology Description:

This invention presents a method for obtaining yeasts mutants that are efficient in fermenting xylose to ethanol.  Yeast strains of  P. stipitis or C. shehatae are mutated in a known manner and placed in a novel growth medium.  The medium includes a carbon source and a nitrogen source.  These mixture combinations, disclosed by the patent, selectively favor the growth of the better fermentative mutants while inhibiting growth of inefficient variants.  This method greatly reduces the amount of labor involved in isolating and screening these yeast strains for effective ethanol fermentation agents.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,126,266, "Xylose-Fermenting Yeast Mutants," which issued June 30, 1992.

Inventors:

Tom Jeffries USDA-Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory One Gifford Pinchot Drive Madison, WI  53726-2398 (608) 231-9453

Philip L. Livingston (Non-Forest Service)