Twenty-first-century chemical odyssey: fuels versus commodities and cell factories versus chemical plants
Abstract
The harmful effects of pollution from the massive and widespread use of fossil fuels have led various organizations and governments to search for alternative energy sources. To address this, a new energy bioprocess is being developed that utilizes non-edible lignocellulose - the only sustainable source of organic carbon in nature. In this mini-review, we consider the potential use of synthetic biology to develop new-to-nature pathways for the biosynthesis of chemicals that are currently synthesized using classical industrial approaches. The number of industrial processes based on starch or lignocellulose is still very modest. Advances in the area require the development of more efficient approaches to deconstruct plant materials, better exploitation of the catalytic potential of prokaryotes and lower eukaryotes and the identification of new and useful genes for product synthesis. Further research and progress is urgently needed in order for government and industry to achieve the major milestone of transitioning 30% of the total industry to renewable sources by 2050.
References
Genetically engineered Saccharomyces yeast capable of effective cofermentation of glucose and xylose
Butanol production by Clostridium beijerinckii. Part I: use of acid and enzyme hydrolyzed corn fiber
Citations
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Biofuels (ASM)
Biofuels are produced through contemporary processes from biomass rather than geological processes involved in fossil fuel formation. Examples include biodiesel, green diesel, biogas, etc. Discover the latest research on biofuels in this feed.
Bioinformatics in Biomedicine
Bioinformatics in biomedicine incorporates computer science, biology, chemistry, medicine, mathematics and statistics. Discover the latest research on bioinformatics in biomedicine here.