GasBuddy News Article

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E. coli Bacteria... Cheaper Biofuels

inhabitat.com -- By Ariel Schwartz

Excerpts

E.coli may not be the smartest thing for your body to ingest, but this bacteria could be just the thing to get vehicles up and running around more efficiently. A team of researchers at LS9 — a self-described “renewable petroleum company” — have discovered that the unsavory Escherichia coli could be used to make so-called “drop-in” biofuels at existing pipelines and refineries.

According to LS9, a diesel-like fuel can be yielded by feeding glucose to E. coli bacteria — one of only two known pathways for engineered microbes to produce pure hydrocarbons,...E.coli can be grown simply on any sugar, including second-generation (read: non-food) biofuel feedstocks like grass.

"LS9 hopes that the the price point of E.coli-produced fuel could ring...$50 a barrel."

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Submitted Jul 30, 2010 By: UncleCurt

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Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:9,141 Points:1,578,135 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 7, 2010 1:11:12 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse Here is another sure fire winner for you to ponder! Radio-Fuel Auto May Solve Gas Problem How do you like it?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,793 Points:633,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:17:31 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse packards: good question... But it's definitely a better investment in my book than trying to build more pipelines and more drilling platforms.
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,070 Points:1,335,685 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 10:55:48 PM Ignore egd Report Abuse another alternative
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,682 Points:306,280 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 9:43:21 AM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse Looks good to be where do we sign on.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,793 Points:633,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 6:57:30 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse gasbud4: that was my first thought, what a schtoooooopid way to start an article. But then, most people only ever hear of the illness / death causing variety/-ies. As for E.coli... guess what y'all use to digest your foods...?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,793 Points:633,350 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 31, 2010 6:55:52 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse lil' E.coli is the super bacteria. Already making tons of our medicines and other products. Why not biofuels? I have no problem using biofuels. Would rather run biodiesel in my truck than dino diesel.
aldog365 Champion Author Nashville Posts:1,046 Points:1,145,360 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:53:16 PM Ignore aldog365 Report Abuse Is all of this EPA approved? They will have the final say.
runout9 All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:567 Points:450,150 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:47:08 PM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse I just heard that Frank Perdue's Bentley gets 45mph on his proprietary salmonella fuel additive. The chickens are sure coming home to roost!
gasbud4 Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,603 Points:730,955 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:46:37 PM Ignore gasbud4 Report Abuse "E.coli may not be the smartest thing for your body to ingest" What an ignorant way to start this article. Most strains of E. coli are not human pathogens. It is very, very unlikely that these reseachers are using a pathogenic strain. Think about it: would you rather work with microbes that can make you sick if you don't take enough safety precautions, or one that is harmless to you, therefore causing you much less concern and costing you less time and money spent on safety precautions?
N5EXY All-Star Author Austin Posts:589 Points:536,400 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:46:19 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Corn stalks (and the whole plant) are sometimes made into livestock feed.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:14,877 Points:1,947,685 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:44:00 PM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse OK to E. Coli and sugar, but those sugars seem to me to be valuable. Even grass can be used for cattle feed, putting pressure on other sources. However, what about breaking down the cellulose/starches in something like corn stalks?
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:11,955 Points:1,202,430 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:37:52 PM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse There has to be a use for everything, we have to find the use and some bright person or group of persons has done so in this case. Now to go after the next nasty buglet.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,962 Points:1,123,945 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:36:01 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse I agree with Bonito...
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,895 Points:1,053,130 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:34:15 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse Well, for once E. Coli is helping get rid of something bad instead of getting people ill.
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:5,200 Points:1,768,220 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:33:23 PM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse Every little bit helps!
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,747 Points:1,054,390 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:33:10 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Whatever works.
Bonito Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,237 Points:2,043,270 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:31:16 PM Ignore Bonito Report Abuse I've had a beer but I think I am drunk after reading this!
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:1,537 Points:167,480 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:26:51 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Question: How sure are they, if at all, that the exhaust using e.coli would not affect humans?
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,900 Points:1,006,620 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:23:45 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Just what we need - more things to kill us. I'll take exhaust vapors first thank you.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,596 Points:798,315 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:18:49 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse never work
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,652 Points:731,425 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:14:56 PM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse Good idea fora a nasty bug!
N5EXY All-Star Author Austin Posts:589 Points:536,400 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:13:47 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Hay, hay, hay, Wait just a minute, Doesn’t E-Coli have something to do with creating methane?No, MidNJ, but hay does create methane in cattle. Now if we could collect all the cowburps around Texas and Oklahoma - - -
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:13,110 Points:1,507,725 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:12:06 PM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse Once they have been transmutated into a hydrocarbon they will just be a memory.
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:468,370 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:10:53 PM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse Interesting, what about the exhaust?
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,356 Points:671,940 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:10:26 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse I won't buy biofuels that are made out of E. coli.
farmersmom Rookie Author Ontario Posts:69 Points:17,035 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:09:35 PM Ignore farmersmom Report Abuse What will they think of next?
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:11,497 Points:2,244,575 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:07:46 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse Now why would I purposely make my car sick?
carter84262 All-Star Author Detroit Posts:822 Points:288,900 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:07:39 PM Ignore carter84262 Report Abuse This seems like such an obvious path why didn't someone come up with it earlier? What non-scientists often misunderstand is that E. coli is a whole class of bacteria...some are dangerous, others not, and as a matter of fact we need some types. The genetics of E. coli are simple and through recombinant DNA it can be used to produce all kinds of products.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,577 Points:731,840 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:07:38 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse If the E. coli kills drivers we will use less gas.
TheSicilian Veteran Author Jacksonville Posts:454 Points:494,610 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:07:30 PM Ignore TheSicilian Report Abuse but does it work and is it cost effective
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,788 Points:526,290 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:07:15 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse Ok, But is same article from yesterday
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,013 Points:774,360 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:05:49 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Any alternatives to oil sound good.
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,460 Points:697,345 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:04:47 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse let me guess, LS9 has already cornered the market in this stuff.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,657 Points:252,670 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:03:51 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Hay, hay, hay, Wait just a minute, Doesn’t E-Coli have something to do with creating methane?
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,362 Points:910,405 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:02:28 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse If this is practical and you can make money at this. The time is now to produce it. The price of fuel is certain to go up.
N5EXY All-Star Author Austin Posts:589 Points:536,400 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 11:01:09 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse I wonder if it will stink when it burns. Will we need a new type catalytic or colitic converter? Will it give young cars the colic? Or cholera?
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,356 Points:671,940 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:59:17 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Whatever.
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,153 Points:386,895 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:55:33 PM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse If they can keep it out of our food supply, then it might be a goood idea, however, as the Army about hos difficult it can be to maintain contorl over pathogens.
dabuzman Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,829 Points:1,004,800 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:54:49 PM Ignore dabuzman Report Abuse Ever wish full dream of this at a price of $50.00 a barrel. If so where are those investors for they want to make money.
PappyBlue Rookie Author Tennessee Posts:2 Points:24,620 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:49:13 PM Ignore PappyBlue Report Abuse Whatever happened to Biopropanol? This promising biofuel can be used straight or mixed with gasoline in any proportion and needs no changes to engines or pipelines. It produces no noxious exhaust fumes and has more mpg than gasohol. Sounded like it was a near perfect replacement. What has happened to keep it off the market?
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,577 Points:731,840 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:48:56 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Be careful siphoning fuel. Don't drink any E. coli.
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:7,683 Points:620,155 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:39:45 PM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse Oh goody!! More green crap.
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,657 Points:252,670 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:39:32 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Personally, my opinion is that when E-Coli is out of balance in my bowels; I create gas!!!! ================ More gas is needed; Don't you agree??
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,348 Points:647,285 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:39:10 PM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse We need more basic research like this, if we are going to eventually solve our energy problem.
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:3,978 Points:1,174,370 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:29:47 PM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse jb107b - "I really don't think we need E. coli bacteria around." I'm afraid that's not going to change any time soon, jb. It's not just here for the production of biofuel. Been around for a LONG time and they haven't managed to eradicate it yet. I don't think I'd plan to hold my breath until they do. Bottom line on E.coli is that it's been here, it's still here, and it's going to be here. If we can find something beneficial to do with it, maybe we're a step ahead.
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,952 Points:1,094,010 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:26:27 PM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse I doubt this will work.
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,704 Points:1,647,990 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:19:55 PM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse I really don't think we need E. coli bacteria around.
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,382 Points:589,760 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:18:40 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse This plus other alternatives makes a good thing!!!
ladyeagle57 Champion Author Maine Posts:4,009 Points:576,365 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:15:39 PM Ignore ladyeagle57 Report Abuse We have had quite a few lakes closed during July, because of E. coli. I wish we could make a few barrels for $50 a barrel.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:11,054 Points:1,251,275 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 30, 2010 10:13:54 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Just keep it out of our water supply.