Plant fiber based biofuels, chemicals, and bio-based medicines

Date:February 5, 2024

Country: United States

Application

• This project aims to convert plant residues into sustainable biofuels, chemicals, and bio-based medicines, reducing reliance on petroleum. By improving enzyme efficiency, it supports the development of a bioeconomy based on renewable carbon for various industrial applications.

Description

Researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and UC Davis are exploring how enzymes break down cellulose in plant residues to produce sustainable biofuels, chemicals, and medicines. Using a novel microfluidic device and infrared spectroscopy, the team studied cellulose-degrading enzymes in real-time to understand how hydrogen bonds in cellulose hinder enzyme efficiency. Their findings aim to accelerate the conversion of plant waste into valuable products, contributing to a bioeconomy that reduces reliance on fossil fuels. This research could revolutionize sustainable biomanufacturing and help address drug shortages.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project is operando spectroscopy, which combines a microfluidic device with infrared spectroscopy to study the breakdown of cellulose by enzymes in real time. This approach enables researchers to observe how hydrogen bonds in cellulose hinder enzymatic degradation, providing insights into improving the efficiency of cellulose conversion. The goal is to enhance the production of biofuels, chemicals, and sustainable products from plant residues.