Novel enzyme could boost sustainable production of aviation fuel

A biocatalyst discovered by Brazilian researchers has the potential to increase renewable biofuel output by removing obstacles in technology and production processes, as well as enhancing the manufacturing of bioplastics and biopolymers. Credit: researcher’s archive

In recent decades, scientists have sought solutions to improve the sustainable production of biofuels from renewable sources. The latest advance in this field was announced at the end of May by Brazilian researchers and could boost the production of sustainable biofuels for aviation and maritime shipping.

“After three and a half years of research, we identified an that can replace the traditional catalysts used in thermochemical routes for the production of aviation biokerosene,” said LetĂ­cia Zanphorlin, principal investigator for the project and head of the Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR) at the Brazilian National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM).

The enzyme discovered by the CNPEM group is OleTPRN, a polyunsaturated alkene-producing decarboxylase belonging to the cytochrome P450 superfamily.

This metalloenzyme derived from the bacterium Rothia nasimurium promises to be the key to development of novel biotechnological routes in

Continue reading on Phys.org

Leave a Reply