Bacteria synthesiser

Researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new method of producing next-generation biofuels by genetically modifying Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) bacteria to make it an efficient biofuel synthesiser.

The method was developed by UCLA Prof of chemical and biomolecular engineering James Liao, postdoctoral fellow Shota Atsumi and visiting Prof Taizo Hanai.

Biofuels, like commercially available ethanol, are produced from agricultural products such as corn, sugarcane or waste cellulose. Ethanol, however, has limitations — it is not as efficient as gasoline and must be mixed with gas for use as a transportation fuel. It also tends to absorb water from its surroundings, making it corrosive and preventing it from being stored or distributed in existing infrastructure without modification.

Higher-chain alcohols have energy densities close to gasoline, are not as volatile or corrosive as ethanol, and do not readily absorb water. Furthermore, branched-chain alcohols, such as isobutanol, have higher-octane numbers, resulting in less knocking in engines. Isobutanol or C5 alcohols have never been produced from a renewable source with yields high enough to make them viable as a gasoline substitute.