Green Cell Factories, Sustainable chemicals from CO2

Purpose and goal:

Aim: Develop the concept of Green cell factories as future producers of climate-neutral and sustainable chemicals, including fuels, from carbon dioxide and solar energy.

The concept Green cell factories, climate-neutral and sustainable chemicals, including fuels, from carbon dioxide and solar energy through modified cyanobacteria have been materialized and significantly developed. Above all, the project has addressed how the formed product can be concentrated into a commercial product comparable to the one currently available on the market.

Expected results and effects:

The project results were quality data and physical butanol production. Different cultivation and product harvesting methods were tested with a clear indicator of how to further develop cultivation conditions. The product capture and concentration methods developed a protocol that can be used in the future, but also indicate where additional research is required. Project data, analysis, and documentation contribute to the results that will be used to build the next stages of Green cell factories.

Approach and implementation:

Previously developed cyanobacteria that form the alcohol butanol from CO2 and solar energy have been grown under controlled conditions. Formed product, which freely leaves the biological cells and is found in the culture medium, has been concentrated into commercial photosynthetic product comparable to that currently available on the market. The project achieved both the biological and chemical production aims, and the documented analysis provides clear direction for next critical steps of Green cell factories.