Intestinal bacteria can manufacture diesel fuel

British researchers publish study on genetically modified intestinal bacteria

04/23/2013

Intestinal bacteria as producers of diesel fuel? This is possible in principle, now British researchers from the University of Exeter have found in laboratory experiments and published their findings in the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences". Accordingly, genetically modified Escherichia coli bacteria (E-coli bacteria) could produce a fuel that could be used immediately - without, for example, an adaptation of the engines is necessary.

Bacteria process free fatty acids into hydrocarbons
The basis for the production of the fuel thereby form free fatty acids, which can be processed by the intestinal bacteria to hydrocarbons, which in turn consists of diesel fuel - but on condition that they are genetically modified. To this end, the scientists around Thomas Howard changed the genome of Escherichia coli bacteria by bringing in genes of different bacteria and then cultivated the modified bacteria in a first step in a mixture of fatty acids. The bacteria then reacted with the production of hydrocarbons or so-called „alkanes“ and „alkenes“ - and exactly the same as those contained in conventional diesel. In a further step, finally, followed by the genetic modification of the metabolism of Escherichia coli bacteria - with the aim that the bacteria can convert their own fatty acids.

Researchers hope for big progress towards emission reduction
By replacing conventional diesel with a carbon-neutral biofuel, the project aims to make great progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which means 80 percent less emissions by 2050: "It was our goal from the outset to create a commercial biofuel to produce, which can be applied without an adaptation of the vehicles“, so the researchers in the article.

The results of the British researchers could indeed be a major breakthrough, because the biofuels available so far usually have to be refined after production. Because „While biofuels are the immediate, practical solution to reduce fossil hydrocarbon dependence, current biofuels (biodiesel and alcohols) require significant purification processes and are not fully compatible with modern, mass-market combustion engines“, the researchers continue.

Current biofuels are usually unsuitable for common engines
Accordingly, the current biofuels in common engines are often unusable or would be used only as an additive to the fossil fuels gasoline, diesel and natural gas. Therefore, the scientists expect a lot from the diesel fuel from intestinal bacteria: „Global energy demand is rising and having fuel that is independent of oil price volatility and political instability is an increasingly attractive prospect. "(Nr)