‘Gribble’ marine pest may be key to biofuel breakthrough, say scientists

09 Mar 10

A marine pest could be the key to a biofuel breakthrough, say scientists. Gribble, which resemble pink woodlice, plagued seafarers for centuries by boring through the planks of ships and destroying wooden piers. But now environmental scientists are taking a keen interest in the crustaceans. Enzymes produced by the tiny creatures are able to break down woody cellulose and turn it into energy-rich sugars meaning that gribble could convert wood and straw into liquid biofuel.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article7054684.ece

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