After visiting the greenhouses we toured into a lab where we got an enzyme lesson. We also got to watch a real time demonstration.

In the picture a scientist is performing a simple iodine test on ground corn amylase to demonstrate the presence of starch. Amylase is an enzyme currently added to the ethanol making process. Syngenta researchers are working on a trait in corn that will produce a high content of the enzyme. This will make ethanol plants more efficient and hopefully create new opportunities for growers.

If I understand it correctly, the amylase helps convert the starch in the corn into sugars more quickly, which speeds up the processing time. I’ve got an interview coming up soon in which this is explained in more detail.