In South Korea, a joint research team from UNIST and the University of California, Berkeley, has unveiled a novel microbial process to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into butanol, an environmentally friendly fuel. This innovative approach utilizes a continuous bioprocess involving two specialized microorganisms working in tandem.
The system links two microorganisms in a streamlined production line. The first stage utilizes S. ovata to produce acetate (CH₃COOH) from CO₂ and H2 autotrophically. This simple molecule then serves as the sole carbon source for metabolically engineered E. coli, which synthesizes butanol (C₄H₉OH)—a versatile liquid fuel. This division of labor addresses the limitations of single-microbe systems in converting gaseous CO₂ directly into complex fuels.
The team further improved E. coli’s butanol production efficiency by approximately 3.8 times through targeted genetic modifications. By optimizing acetate uptake and redirecting metabolic energy toward butanol synthesis, they enhanced overall productivity.
The continuous system operated stably for more than 90 hours, producing butanol solely from CO₂ and hydrogen, without the need for external organic carbon sources. Hydrogen fuels the initial conversion of CO₂ into acetate, which is then transformed into butanol by the engineered bacteria.
Tags: butanol, CO2, South Korea
Category: Research
