Bacteria can be Used to Produce Diesel on Demand: Study

A new method has been developed by a team of researchers from University of Exeter that makes bacteria produce diesel on demand. The study was conducted with support from Shell.

Though the newly-developed diesel, which is produced by special strains of E.Coli bacteria, faces certain commercialization challenges, it is similar to conventional diesel fuel. Unlike the biodiesels derived from plant oils, this product does not require any blending with petroleum products.

This indicates the fact that the diesel can be used in existing infrastructure, as pipelines, tankers and engines do not require any modification. "Drop-ins" is the term given to biofuels having such characteristics.

"Producing a commercial biofuel that can be used without needing to modify vehicles has been the goal of this project from the outset. Replacing conventional diesel with a carbon neutral biofuel in commercial volumes would be a tremendous step towards meeting our target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Global demand for energy is rising and a fuel that is independent of both global oil price fluctuations and political instability is an increasingly attractive prospect," professor John Love from Biosciences at the University of Exeter said in a press statement.

E.Coli bacteria naturally convert sugar into fat in order to construct their cell membranes. By harnessing this natural oil production, synthetic fuel oil molecules can be created. Researchers will continue their work to check if there is a possible commercial pathway for "drop-in" fuels.

The specific hydrocarbon molecule that is created with the help of advanced biotechnologies will be in high demand in the years to come.