- Growing demand for food in the world
- Biotechnological process via methanol as intermediate product
- Less ground required than for plant cultivation
Newswise —
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a method to synthesize nutritional protein using a form of artificial photosynthesis. This could help to meet the increasing demand for food and animal feed without harming the environment. The animal feed industry is a major contributor to the high demand for nutritional protein, which can also be used in meat substitute products.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a method to create nutritional protein using artificial photosynthesis. This protein is a building block in animal feed and can also be used in meat substitute products. The process involves using CO2 to produce the amino acid L-alanine through an indirect biotechnological process that involves methanol as an intermediate. This method is more environmentally friendly than traditional protein production, which often requires large-scale agriculture and has negative impacts on biodiversity.
The researchers at TUM have developed a method to produce L-alanine, which is a vital component of protein, using a type of artificial photosynthesis. They convert CO2 into methanol using green electricity and hydrogen, and then use synthetic enzymes to turn the methanol into L-alanine in a multi-stage process. This method is highly effective and generates very high yields. The protein produced can be used for animal feed or in meat substitute products.
The researcher, Prof. Sieber, explains that their method requires less space compared to growing plants to create the same amount of L-alanine when the energy used comes from solar or wind power sources. This means that their method allows for more efficient use of space and can produce the same amount of food with fewer acres. Thus, this new method could help reduce the ecological footprint of agriculture.
Bioeconomy and hydrogen economy in combination
The researchers are planning to take their method further by producing other amino acids from CO2 using renewable energy and improving the efficiency of the process. The project showcases how combining bioeconomy and hydrogen economy can lead to greater sustainability.
Publication:
The article "Cell-free enzymatic L-alanine synthesis from green methanol" recently appeared in the journal Chem Catalysis from Cell Press.
Vivian Pascal Willers, Manuel Döring, Barbara Beer, Volker Sieber. Cell-free enzymatic L-alanine synthesis from green methanol. Chem Catalysis, Volume 3, Issue 3, 2023, 100502.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2022.100502
RSS