In Brazil, Acidade On reports scientists have identified a specific protozoan in capybara feces that could significantly enhance the production of second-generation ethanol. This protozoan, known as Muniziella cunhai, possesses unique enzymes that excel at breaking down biomass such as sugarcane bagasse, a byproduct of conventional ethanol production.
The research, a collaboration between the State University of Campinas and the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, was published in the journal Microbial Genomics. The study highlights the protozoan’s robust enzymatic capabilities, which surpass those found in many bacteria and yeasts currently used in ethanol production. These enzymes could potentially increase both the efficiency and yield of ethanol extraction from biomass.
The capybaras themselves acquire the protozoan through cecotrophy—the consumption of a specific type of feces rich in microorganisms from their environment. Franciane Cedrola, one of the study’s lead researchers explained the initial goal of the research was to understand how this protozoan aids capybaras in digesting difficult-to-process vegetables. Since capybaras cannot produce the necessary enzymes to break down these fibers on their own, they rely on Muniziella cunhai.
Tags: Brazil, Capybara feces, ethanol
Category: Research
