Japanese researchers develop cyanobacterial strains that produce FFAs

In Japan, researchers from Saitama University, in collaboration with researchers from Taisei Corporation, Chubu University, and the Kazusa DNA Research Institute, has now developed cyanobacterial strains that produce free fatty acids (FFAs) and secrete them into the culture medium.

FFAs are important precursor materials for sustainable aviation fuel and diesel fuel alternatives. The findings were published online in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts.

The team focused on the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, a model photosynthetic microorganism widely used in photosynthesis research. Rather than introducing foreign genes, the researchers enhanced genes that the organism already possesses.

Tags: cyanobacterial strains, FFAs, Japan

Category: Research