Bacteria turn CO2 into fuel

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) has long been identified as the main gas causing the greenhouse effect leading to global warming. Most CO ₂ escapes when we burn fossil fuels.

So, just creating a biofuel to replace fossil fuels and reducing CO ₂ in the environment is what scientists at the University of California (Los Angeles, USA) are aiming for. To do this, cyanobacterium bacteria are used.

By genetically modifying cyanobacterium and coordinating with the enzyme RuBisCO ₂ CO ₂ will be affected by photosynthesis in the sun to convert directly into isobutyraldehyde, without the need for intermediate steps to generate biomass like fuel processing. biology from algae.

Isoburaldehyde gas will be affected by low boiling point but high steam pressure and easily separated from the system. Next, scientists use inexpensive catalysts to convert isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, a liquid fuel that can replace gasoline.