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Frustrated Lewis pair catalyst realizes efficient green diesel production
The commercial production of green diesel suffers from the requirement for continuous sulfur replenishment to maintain catalytic activity. Here, the authors report a sulfur-free catalytic system that can efficiently produce green diesel from various feedstocks over long periods of operation.
- De-Chang Li
- , Zhengyi Pan
- & Guang-Hui Wang
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| Open Access
A lignin-derived material improves plant nutrient bioavailability and growth through its metal chelating capacity
Biorefinery lignin waste has little value in the market. Here, Liu et al. find that water-soluble lignin, converted from sulfuric acid lignin, improves plant iron bioavailability and growth through a metal chelating capacity comparable to the metal chelator EDTA.
- Qiang Liu
- , Tsubasa Kawai
- & Baohai Li
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| Open Access
High production of furfural by flash pyrolysis of C6 sugars and lignocellulose by Pd-PdO/ZnSO4 catalyst
Furfural is an important platform chemical for the synthesis of next-generation bio-fuels. Here the authors report a novel heterogeneous catalyst, Pd-PdO/ZnSO4, for the mass production of furfural from catalytic flash pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomasses.
- Qiaoqiao Zhou
- , Jinxing Gu
- & Lian Zhang
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| Open Access
Single-molecular insights into the breakpoint of cellulose nanofibers assembly during saccharification
Lignocellulose recalcitrance hampers its utilization for the production of biofuels and biosourced chemicals. Here, the authors reveal that the amorphous cellulose is the breakpoint of interact microfibrils and propose OsFC16/CESA9 as the engineering target to increase saccharification ability.
- Ran Zhang
- , Zhen Hu
- & Liangcai Peng
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Metaproteomics reveals enzymatic strategies deployed by anaerobic microbiomes to maintain lignocellulose deconstruction at high solids
Efficient solubilization of plant cell wall carbohydrates is required for microbial production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. Here, the authors employ metaproteomics to interrogate enzymatic strategies of a methanogenic microbiome deconstructing switchgrass at increasing solids loading.
- Payal Chirania
- , Evert K. Holwerda
- & Lee R. Lynd
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| Open Access
A unique Co@CoO catalyst for hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dimethylfuran
The development of precious-metal-free catalysts to promote the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals from biomass challenging. Here the authors report a unique core-shell structured Co@CoO catalyst which exhibits excellent performance in the hydrogenolysis of biomass-derived compounds.
- Shuang Xiang
- , Lin Dong
- & Yanqin Wang
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| Open Access
Decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose
Temperature and pressure are typically dependent parameters in hydrothermal processes. Here, authors devise a hydrothermal system that allows independent control of these parameters and realize low-temperature fast synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres directly from cellulose at higher pressure.
- Shijie Yu
- , Xinyue Dong
- & Hui Zhou
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| Open Access
Subnanometric Cu clusters on atomically Fe-doped MoO2 for furfural upgrading to aviation biofuels
Single cluster catalysts are considered as versatile boosters in heterogeneous catalysis. Here the authors report subnanometric Cu clusters dispersed on Fe-doped MoO2 support exhibits attractive performance in furfural valorization to C8-C15 aviation biofuels via a newly developed reaction route.
- Xin Zhao
- , Fengliang Wang
- & Yingwei Li
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| Open Access
Augmented CO2 tolerance by expressing a single H+-pump enables microalgal valorization of industrial flue gas
Microalgae used for CO2 removal in an industrial exhaust gas stream usually has low CO2 tolerance. Here, the authors increase CO2 tolerance by expressing a single H + -pump and enable microalgal valorization of industrial flue gas.
- Hong Il Choi
- , Sung-Won Hwang
- & Sang Jun Sim
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Directed evolution of prenylated FMN-dependent Fdc supports efficient in vivo isobutene production
Isobutene is a high value gaseous alkene that is widely used as fuel additive and a chemical building block. Here, the authors report an alternative pathway for isobutene bioproduction by directed evolution of prenylated FMN-dependent ferulic acid decarboxylase.
- Annica Saaret
- , Benoît Villiers
- & David Leys
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| Open Access
Docking of acetyl-CoA carboxylase to the plastid envelope membrane attenuates fatty acid production in plants
In plants, light-dependent activation fatty acid synthesis (FAS) is mediated in part by acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase). Here the authors identify a family of genes encoding carboxyltransferase interactors that attenuate FAS in the light by docking acetyl-CoA carboxylase to the plastid envelope.
- Yajin Ye
- , Krisztina Nikovics
- & Jay J. Thelen
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| Open Access
A grass-specific cellulose–xylan interaction dominates in sorghum secondary cell walls
Sorghum is a source of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of renewable fuels. Here the authors characterise the sorghum secondary cell wall using multi-dimensional magic angle spinning solid-state NMR and present a model dominated by interactions between three-fold screw xylan and amorphous cellulose.
- Yu Gao
- , Andrew S. Lipton
- & Jenny C. Mortimer
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Structural insights into catalytic mechanism and product delivery of cyanobacterial acyl-acyl carrier protein reductase
Acyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (AAR) and aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) are the two enzymes in a cyanobacterial alkane biosynthesis pathway that is of interest for biofuel production. Here the authors provide insights into the catalytic mechanisms of AAR and the coupling between the two enzymes by determining the crystal structures of AAR alone and three AAR–ADO complexes with various bound ligands.
- Yu Gao
- , Hongmei Zhang
- & Mei Li
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| Open Access
Photo splitting of bio-polyols and sugars to methanol and syngas
Methanol and syngas are important fuels and chemicals, which are presently produced from fossil resources. Here, the authors report the conversion of biomass-derived polyols and sugars into methanol and syngas via UV light irradiation under room temperature.
- Min Wang
- , Meijiang Liu
- & Feng Wang
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| Open Access
Platinum–copper single atom alloy catalysts with high performance towards glycerol hydrogenolysis
Selective hydrogenolysis of biomass glycerol to propanediol is a promising route for the production of high-value chemicals but remains a challenge. Here, the authors find a PtCu single atom alloy catalyst exhibits remarkably boosted performance with a turnover frequency value of 2.6 × 103 molglycerol·molPtCu–SAA−1·h−1.
- Xi Zhang
- , Guoqing Cui
- & Min Wei
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| Open Access
Quantitative fermentation of unpretreated transgenic poplar by Caldicellulosiruptor bescii
Metabolizing lignocellulosic feedstocks to industrial chemicals by microorganisms requires surmounting the recalcitrance caused by lignin. Here, the authors pair transgenic lignin modified poplar lines with engineered Caldicellusiruptor bescii to achieve biomass solubilization and ethanol conversion without pretreatment.
- Christopher T. Straub
- , Piyum A. Khatibi
- & Robert M. Kelly
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| Open Access
Differences in S/G ratio in natural poplar variants do not predict catalytic depolymerization monomer yields
The ratio of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) units in lignin has been regarded as a major factor in determining the maximum monomer yield. Here, the authors challenge this common conception using reductive catalytic fractionation in flow-through reactors as an analytical tool to depolymerize lignin in poplar with naturally varying S/G ratios.
- Eric M. Anderson
- , Michael L. Stone
- & Yuriy Román-Leshkov
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Lignin-polysaccharide interactions in plant secondary cell walls revealed by solid-state NMR
The interactions of lignin with polysaccharides in plant secondary cell walls are not well understood. Here the authors employ solid-state NMR measurements to analyse intact stems of maize, Arabidopsis, switchgrass and rice and observe that lignin self-aggregates and forms highly hydrophobic microdomains that make extensive surface contacts to xylan.
- Xue Kang
- , Alex Kirui
- & Tuo Wang
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Hydrodeoxygenation of water-insoluble bio-oil to alkanes using a highly dispersed Pd–Mo catalyst
Bio-oil is a potential major source of renewable fuels and chemicals. Here, the authors report a palladium-molybdenum mixed catalyst for the selective hydrodeoxygenation of water-insoluble bio-oil to mixtures of alkanes with high carbon yield.
- Haohong Duan
- , Juncai Dong
- & Dermot O’Hare
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Low carbon renewable natural gas production from coalbeds and implications for carbon capture and storage
Coalbeds produce natural gas, which has been observed to be enhanced by in situ microbes. Here, the authors add plant-derived carbohydrates (monosaccharides) to coal seams to be converted by indigenous microbes into natural gas, thus demonstrating a potential low carbon renewable natural gas resource.
- Zaixing Huang
- , Christine Sednek
- & Shengpin Li
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| Open Access
Enhancing digestibility and ethanol yield of Populus wood via expression of an engineered monolignol 4-O-methyltransferase
The efficiency of cellulosic biofuel production from woody biomass is limited by the presence of lignin that impedes efficient processing. Here the authors show that transgenic modification of aspen to depress lignin polymerization can increase ethanol yield without affecting tree growth.
- Yuanheng Cai
- , Kewei Zhang
- & Chang-Jun Liu
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A squalene synthase-like enzyme initiates production of tetraterpenoid hydrocarbons in Botryococcus braunii Race L
The green microalga Botryococcus braunii is a promising biofuel producer due to its ability to produce large amounts of hydrocarbon oils that can be converted into fuels. Here the authors implicate lycopaoctaene synthase, a squalene synthases-like enzyme, in the first step towards the biosynthesis of the C40 tetraterpenoid hydrocarbon lycopadiene.
- Hem R. Thapa
- , Mandar T. Naik
- & Timothy P. Devarenne
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An engineered pathway for the biosynthesis of renewable propane
Propane is the main component of liquid petroleum gas and has a wide variety of commercial applications. Here, the authors engineer a synthetic metabolic pathway in E. coli, and demonstrate for the first time the renewable production of propane.
- Pauli Kallio
- , András Pásztor
- & Patrik R. Jones
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Genome engineering empowers the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for biotechnology
Diatoms are photosynthetic microalgae with underutilized biotechnological potential. Here, the authors carry out targeted gene modifications of lipid metabolism genes in the diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, resulting in a strain that exhibits a 45-fold increase in triacylglycerol accumulation.
- Fayza Daboussi
- , Sophie Leduc
- & Philippe Duchateau
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The emerging biofuel crop Camelina sativa retains a highly undifferentiated hexaploid genome structure
Camelina sativa is an oilseed crop with important industrial applications. Here, the authors sequence the C. sativagenome to investigate the genome organization and evolution of this species, and to provide a valuable tool for genetic engineering and potential crop improvement.
- Sateesh Kagale
- , Chushin Koh
- & Isobel A. P. Parkin
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Cellulose degradation and assimilation by the unicellular phototrophic eukaryote Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Although cellulose is abundant in the biosphere, its potential as a source of biofuel depends on finding efficient ways to degrade it. Blifernez-Klassen et al. show that phototrophic microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtiican metabolize cellulose, indicating its potential as a catalyst for biofuel production.
- Olga Blifernez-Klassen
- , Viktor Klassen
- & Olaf Kruse
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Draft genome sequence and genetic transformation of the oleaginous alga Nannochloropsis gaditana
Algae show much promise in the production of biofuels owing to their high photoautotrophic biomass and lipid production rates. In this study, the draft genome ofNannochloropsis gaditanaCCMP526 and a method for the transformation of this alga are reported, facilitating the investigation of lipid synthesis and biofuel production.
- Randor Radakovits
- , Robert E. Jinkerson
- & Matthew C. Posewitz
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Identification and microbial production of a terpene-based advanced biofuel
Advanced biofuels with comparable properties to petroleum-based fuels could be microbially produced from lignocellulosic biomass. In this study,Escherichia coliis engineered to produce bisabolene, the immediate precursor of bisabolane, a biosynthetic alternative to D2 diesel.
- Pamela P. Peralta-Yahya
- , Mario Ouellet
- & Taek Soon Lee
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Mediatorless high-power glucose biofuel cells based on compressed carbon nanotube-enzyme electrodes
Glucose biofuel cells can be used to produce clean energy from renewable sources, but their use is limited by poor stability and low power output. In this study, bioelectrodes are fabricated using carbon nanotubes and the resulting biofuel cells have improved stability and power.
- Abdelkader Zebda
- , Chantal Gondran
- & Serge Cosnier
Identification of triacylglycerol remodeling mechanism to synthesize unusual fatty acid containing oils