Korean researchers have started to modify microorganisms to produce gasoline. The research team modified E. Coli to convert the glucose that they are fed into gasoline. So far 1 liter of the modifed E. Coli can produce 580 milligrams of gasoline per hour. The major component in gasoline are hydrocarbons called alkanes. These are chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms, and gasoline has a short alkane chain while diesel has a longer chain. There has been earlier success in creating diesel fuel from E. Coli, but never gasoline. One of the big things with this development is that the product is gasoline and requires no extra steps to convert it into gasoline. Its amazing how they are able to just put in glucose and have gasoline come out. The E. Colie have enzymes that convert the glucose sugars into fatty acids which are then converted into alkane hydro carbons. So far the small amount of gasoline produced is not very practical. The korean research team’s next goal is to produce three grams of gasoline per liter per hour. This breakthrough in the study of modifying microorganism to produce gasoline will serve as a basis for more research regarding microorganisms producing fuel. In the near future the E. Coli will be able to produce more gasoline per liter. This advancement will make gasoline an easily renewed resource. If we are still using gasoline in the future this will make the price of it very cheap because the gasoline will basically be the price of sugar. http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4237/20130930/e-coli-bacteria-used-create-gasoline.htm
It really amazes me that gasoline can be made from E. Coli and glucose! Sometimes I feel like these new discoveries have been right in front of our faces for the longest, and I wonder why it has taken so long to discover them. But I'm glad someone finally did! Anything that could potentially lower gas prices is very interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI read the newspaper today about natural gas being transformed into diesel fuel. $2.40 per gallon..... Which is totally cheaper than what most diesel fuel ends up to be. It's great seeing technology catch up to the environment. Maybe one day the environment will be better controlled by humans.
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