Science Daily January 8, 2018
The E. coli bacterium can grow in the complete absence of oxygen. When it does this it makes a special metal-containing enzyme, called ‘FHL’, which can interconvert gaseous carbon dioxide with liquid formic acid. An international team of researchers (Scotland, UK, Industry partners) has shown that when the bacteria containing the FHL enzyme are placed under pressurized carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas mixtures — up to 10 atmospheres of pressure — then 100 per cent conversion of the carbon dioxide to formic acid is observed. The reaction happens quickly, over a few hours, and at ambient temperatures. According to the researchers it should be possible to optimize the system still further and finally develop a `microbial cell factory’. This could provide an opportunity to capture carbon dioxide into a manageable product that is easily stored, controlled or even used to make other things…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Rendering of bacteria. Credit: © 7activestudio / Fotolia