Biofuels as Petroleum Alternatives: Closing the Carbon Cycle with Bacteria
(Open Access Government) ….. Bacteria-generated bioplastics and biofuels are interesting potential alternatives while offering an additional benefit: a closed carbon loop. Compared to traditional petroleum processes that result in large quantities of greenhouse gas production without subsequent carbon capture, some bacteria that make bioproducts have the ability to do so by consuming carbon dioxide from the environment and transforming it into fuels and plastics. These bacteria generate what is called a closed carbon cycle, where the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere during combustion or degradation is re-collected and made into the bioproducts.
Photoautotrophs are bacteria that use the energy of light to fix carbon dioxide into biomass and bioproducts. An example of such a bacterium is Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 that can use carbon dioxide and, in turn, generate biofuels and bioplastics. Large-scale implementation of this approach offers a means to control the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Current bioplastics and biofuels have the potential to serve as plastic and fuel alternatives due to their relatively similar properties. To be a reliable alternative, biofuels must be capable of utilization in modern engines with minimum or no redesign. Presently, two bacteria-generated biofuels hold high potential in large-scale use and replacement.
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Both bioplastics and biofuels degrade or combust to carbon dioxide, which can be recaptured and fed to bacteria for processing and transformation back into bioproducts. In looking at photoautotrophic bacteria capable of transforming carbon dioxide into bioproducts, we can generate a closed carbon cycle and meet the global demand for renewable fuels and plastics. READ MORE
