Latest news with #TianjinInstituteofIndustrialBiotechnology
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Chinese Scientists Turn CO2 Into Food In Major Scientific Breakthrough
In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, Chinese researchers have developed a method to convert methanol into white sugar, bypassing the need to grow sugar cane or sugar beets. Using a biotransformation system, the team claims that captured carbon dioxide can be converted into food. The team at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology has developed an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system that synthesises sucrose from methanol, a low-carbon chemical that is derived from industrial waste or carbon dioxide. By utilising enzymes to convert methanol, researchers have presented a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture. "Artificial conversion of CO2 into food and chemicals offers a promising strategy to address both environmental and population-related challenges while contributing to carbon neutrality," the study published in the Science Bulletin highlighted. The Tianjin researchers built on the work of scientists at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, who developed a low-temperature method to convert carbon dioxide into methanol in 2021. The team managed to achieve an impressive conversion rate of 86 per cent, which marks a significant milestone in the field of biomanufacturing, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The system not only synthesises sucrose but also produces starch, using less energy than traditional methods. "In vitro biotransformation (ivBT) has emerged as a highly promising platform for sustainable biomanufacturing. In this work, we successfully designed and implemented an [ivBT] system for sucrose synthesis from low-carbon molecules," the researchers said. Based on the initial success, the researchers adapted the ivBT system to convert a variety of compounds, including fructose, amylose, amylopectin, cellobiose and cellooligosaccharides. Excessive CO2 emissions have caused a global surface temperature increase of at least 1.1 degrees Celsius. With the global population expected to grow to 10 billion by the end of the century, the demand for food is expected to double. However, the chemical reduction of carbon dioxide has opened up the possibility of using the captured greenhouse gas as a raw material for the sustainable biosynthesis of various chemicals.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists discover futuristic technique to produce food from an unusual source: 'A significant step'
Food-making tech invented in China isn't quite on the level of the protein resequencers in Star Trek. But it's getting closer, according to a report from EurekAlert. That's because a team from Xi'an Jiaotong University and the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is creating a nutrient-rich, edible, single-cell protein, or SCP, from heat-trapping air pollution and electricity, per the report. "This breakthrough offers a promising solution to global food security and climate challenges by converting CO2 into valuable protein," the article, by the Eurasia Academic Publishing Group, stated. The setup has two interconnected reactors with futuristic-sounding jobs. One converts carbon dioxide into acetate using microbial electrosynthesis. The second one uses aerobic bacteria to "upgrade" the acetate to a SCP that's closer to something we'd eat, with a 74% protein content. "Surpassing traditional protein sources like fish and soybean meal," per the report. The experts described the process as being sustainable and efficient with reduced wastewater. The product could be used as an animal feed and is "a potential candidate for human nutrition," they wrote. In Star Trek, food security on Vulcan, Earth, and other worlds is basically an obsolete worry, along with money. But in the real world, both remain big challenges, making sustainable food projects worthwhile. Globally, one in 11 people, or between 713 million and 757 million folks, experience hunger. In Africa, one in five people faces food insecurity, according to the United Nations. Our overheating planet is playing a role, as well, through product disruptions, price increases, and interrupted transport, the United States Department of Agriculture reported. What's more, farm labor productivity could drop significantly by the end of the century in some parts of the planet due to rising temperatures, per a study published by Wiley. Which of these groups has the biggest role to play in reducing food waste? Grocery stores Restaurants Individuals The government Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Strange new technology could help fill the void, taking the air pollution, which is causing the planet to warm, and turning it into something useful. Elsewhere, Nestle is working to capture air pollution at its South African plant, turning it into harmless baking soda with impressive tech. University of Alberta experts are even working on improving plant-based foods with 3D printers and plasma, as another example of a science-fiction-sounding research project. The work highlights the benefits of plant-based meals, which can provide for healthier, less-polluting menus at home. Better yet, you don't need 3D printers, plasma, or reactors. If you grow your own food in a garden, for instance, you can save serious cash each year while enjoying some sunshine as you tend to your plants. The Mayo Clinic reported that gardeners often enjoy reduced stress and anxiety while pruning, weeding, and harvesting. Thanks to services like you can even share your bounty with others. In China, the team is optimistic about its ability to turn dirty fumes into healthy food. This "technology represents a significant step toward a circular carbon economy, turning greenhouse gases into nutritious food while reducing environmental impact," the team wrote, per EurekAlert. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
