Use Of Enzyme on Plants Can Produce Large Amounts of Oil

Scientists from Texas A&M University discovered that the common microalga, which is called Botryococcus braunii can produce fuel-grade oil. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Dr. Tim Devarenne, the lead scientist of the study and the AgriLife Research biochemist in College Station said that the alga can make vast amounts of liquid hydrocarbons that can be used as diesel fuel, kerosene and gasoline, as reported by Science Daily. "And these liquid hydrocarbons made by the alga are currently found in petroleum deposits, so we are already using them as a source to generate fuel," said Devarenne.

Botryococcus braunii is a green planktonic microalga with a pyramid shaped. It is potentially significant in the field of biotechnology. It is known for its capability to manufacture large amounts of hydrocarbons.

Devarenne said that Botryococcus can be found everywhere excluding the sea water. It grows in each continent but not in Antarctica. It also develops in lakes, ponds, brackish waters, fresh waters, mountains and places with desert climates.

He explained that Botryococcus develops very slowly. It would take about one week for one Botryococcus cell to multiply into two cells. He suggested transferring the genes into another land plant like tobacco or to other algae to produce more oil. So, what genes can enable oil production?

Devarenne and his team found out that that the gene capable of oil production is the lycopaoctaene synthase or the LOS. Its enzyme can mix few various substances to come up with different hydrocarbon products.

LOS can use three various molecules as substrates. The substrates are 15 carbons long and 20 carbons long. Mixing them with the enzyme can result to two 20-carbon molecules into 40 carbon molecule. And the 15 carbon molecule can turn into 30 carbon molecule while the 15-carbon substrate and 20-carbon substrates can produce 35-carbon substrate. In regards to fuel, it needs a high carbon number molecule.