Artificial photosynthesis transforms CO2 into food: Scientists say this will help feed the future

Scientists at the Technical University of Munich have proposed a new way to use carbon dioxide, which turns it into food, and could actually solve the food problem for both humans and pets, Scitechdaily.com reports.

According to the new experiment, instead of being released into the atmosphere, where it creates a greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide can lead to the synthesis of an amino acid necessary for protein production, thanks to an open chain of biochemical reactions.

A number of amino acids are needed to produce artificial protein, which is needed for both pet and human food, such as artificial meat. German scientists have devised a reaction for the synthesis of the amino acid L-alanine and intend to develop processes for the synthesis of other necessary amino acids to eventually synthesize complete protein complexes from carbon dioxide.

The biochemical reaction for the synthesis of L-alanine is based on methanol, which is obtained from CO2 using renewable (wind or solar) energy. Methanol is needed as an intermediate because the amino acid cannot be synthesized directly from carbon dioxide. Obtaining methanol from CO2, scientists conduct a series of reactions with it using synthetic enzymes. As a result, an amino acid is obtained, which is necessary for the synthesis of dietary protein. To synthesize this same amino acid naturally requires land, people, and long cultivation processes.

Scientists note that the creation of proteins in a synthetic way is more beneficial than in a natural way, because in the latter case there are a lot of resource costs and harmful emissions. In addition, the synthetic method of producing amino acids and proteins does not cause harmful emissions if it uses renewable energy.

The authors of the study believe that the proposed solution will help eliminate the problem of the growing population of the Earth and the lack of food. This will help produce enough food for everyone, and it will be produced without harming the environment.