November 13, 2007

Syngenta testing corn seed that would accelerate biofuel production
 

Syngenta has developed a corn seed featuring an enzyme which could simplify the process of turning the corn into biofuels,

The company is now conducting bulk trials on the corn amylase enzyme after gaining FDA approval, Financial Times reported.

The enzyme has the potential to make biofuel production more economical as it eliminates a step in ethanol production, the paper reported.

Pragnell said that tests would last for about nine months, and that Syngenta hopes to have the product on the market for the 2009 growing season.

Syngenta, with 21,000 employees, is present in 90 countries and has sales of US$8.1 billion in 2006. The company specializes in crop protection and conducts extensive research on corn seeds.