A research team from Ghent University are the first to examine the potential of the microorganisms in the pandas' digestive track, which may lead to the development of new generations of biofuels. Pandas have a unique digestive system, as despite having the genetic make-up of a carnivore, the black-and-white bears have adapted to subsist on a diet consisting almost entirely of bamboo. 'We can look for new enzymes which could be used to degrade tough biomass,' says Korneel Rabaey, professor for biochemical and microbial technology at Ghent University. The results of the study may lead to new cheaper ways to produce second generation biofuels, as producers may be able to harness the enzymatic wonders of panda plop.
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