Sustainability Forum@IIML May 2016 Volume V Issue 2 Centre for Business Sustainability, IIM Lucknow Prabandh Nagar, Off. Sitapur Road, Lucknow- 226013 E-mail:
[email protected] Phone: +91 522 2736987, +91 2736989 Business Sustainability News International initiates the oil production process, encoded in a “very interesting” gene called New Biofuel Leans On Slothy Algae lycopaoctaene synthase (LOS), as described by lead researcher Dr. Tim Devarenne: With Promiscuous Enzyme A closer look at the LOS enzyme revealed that the enzyme is “promiscuous” in that it is capable of mixing several different substances, or substrates, to make different By Tina Casey products. At first glance, the common green microalgae Botryococcus braunii looks like a As explained by the research team, promiscuity is a common trait among enzymes, horrible biofuel candidate. It grows so slowly that it takes a week to accomplish what but it is unusual to find this particular combination of hydrocarbon and enzyme. By other species can do in a matter of hours. However, B. braunii has intrigued biofuel mixing different substrates, LOS produces longer, more desirable carbon molecules researchers for decades, and now a team at Texas A&M has unlocked the genetic of 35 and 40 carbons long: mystery behind one of its secrets, a “promiscuous” enzyme that could enable it to …that’s not only different from other enzymes that are similar to LOS, but it’s spit out gasoline, kerosene, diesel and other fuels. important because most enzymes like LOS only use a 15-carbon substrate. In terms Biofuel: Not Dead Yet! of fuel, it’s better to start with a higher carbon number molecule.