December 17, 2012 Scientists at the University of Manchester
have identified a biocatalyst which could produce chemicals found in ice-cream
and household items such as soap and shampoo – possibly leading to the
long-term replacement of chemicals derived from fossil fuels.
Writing in PNAS, the researchers have shown that the emerging
field of synthetic biology can be used to manipulate hydrocarbon chemicals,
found in soaps and shampoos, in cells. This development, discovered with
colleagues at the University of Turku in Finland, could mean fuel for cars
or household power supplies could be created from naturally-occurring fatty
acids. The researchers, led by Professor Nick Turner from The University of
Manchester, used synthetic biology to hijack the naturally-existing fatty acids
and direct those fatty molecules towards the production of ready-to-use fuel
and household chemicals. Hydrocarbon chemicals are everywhere in our daily
lives; as fragrance in soap, thickener in shampoo and fuel in the car. Their
number of carbons and whether they are acid, aldehyde, alcohol or alkane are
important parameters that influence how toxic they are to biological organisms,
the potential for fuel and their olfactory perception as aroma compounds. The
breakthrough allows researchers to further explore how to create renewable
energy from sustainable sources, and the advance could lead to more innovative
ways of sourcing fuel from natural resources. Synthetic biology is an area of
biological research and technology that combines science and engineering for
the benefit of society. Significant advances have been made in this field in
recent years. Professor Turner said: "In our laboratories in Manchester we currently
work with many different biocatalysts that catalyse a range of chemical
reactions – the key is to match up the correct biocatalyst with the specific
product you are trying to make. "Biocatalysts recognise molecules in the
way that a lock recognises a key – they have to fit perfectly together to work.
Sometime we redesign the lock so that if can accept a slightly different key
allowing us to make even more interesting products. "In this example we
need to make sure that the fatty acid starting materials would be a perfect
match for the biocatalysts that we discovered and developed in our
laboratories. "As with many leading areas of science today, in order to
make major breakthroughs it is necessary for two or more laboratories around
the world to come together to solve challenging problems." More
information: Carboxylic acid reductase is a versatile enzyme for the conversion
of fatty acids into fuels and chemical commodities, by M. Kalim Akhtar,
Nicholas J. Turner, and Patrik R. Jones, PNAS, 2012. Journal reference:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by University of Manchester
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-12-fossil-fuels-ice-cream-soap.html#jCp
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