In a major scientific breakthrough, scientists of the School of Biotechnology of Banaras Hindu University have isolated a group of bacteria that degrades lignite coal (low energy producing coal) to produce methane gas for increased fuel efficiency.
While the isolation of the special group of bacteria called coal degrading bacteria and methanogens has been achieved at the fag end of three year project costing INR 4000000 where School of Biotechnology of BHU is collaborating with Oil and Natural Gas Commission, the scientists at BHU are already planning to go for field trials at the ONGC Institute of Reservoir Studies.
According to the institute, “The isolation of the special group of bacteria is based on DNA isolation technique, where the different nutrient medium for bacteria has been selected to estimate their chances of survival under adverse condition.”
