USDA Approves Corn Output Trait for Ethanol Industry
18 February 2011 Syngenta has received full deregulation for its corn amylase trait from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is the first genetically modified output trait in corn for the ethanol industry, according to a press release.
Syngenta will sell corn seed with the amylase trait under the Enogen brand. By enabling expression of an optimized alpha-amylase enzyme directly in corn, dry grind ethanol production can be improved in a way that can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure, according to Syngenta.
“Enogen corn seed offers growers an opportunity to cultivate a premium specialty crop. It is a breakthrough product that provides U.S. ethanol producers with a proven means to generate more gallons of ethanol from their existing facilities,” said Davor Pisk, chief operating officer, in a prepared statement. “Enogen corn also reduces the energy and water consumed in the production process while substantially reducing carbon emissions.”
Enogen corn seed will be available for the coming growing season. Syngenta plans to work with a small number of ethanol plants and corn growers in close proximity and prepare for larger scale commercial introduction in 2012, according to the company.
The corn amylase trait in Enogen has already been approved for import into Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia and Taiwan, and for cultivation in Canada.
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