Soybean Roots Microorganism to Produce Fuel

The University of California scientists have found ways to produce gasoline using an ancient microorganism in the soil that is usually found around the roots of soybean. Further this Azotobacter vinelandii organism will also be able to create a way for cars that run on air.

The plants that contain many Azotobacter vinelandii organism will be favored by farmers because a suite of enzymes in bacteria will allow to convert unusable atmospheric nitrogen into vital ammonia and other chemicals which is also important for surrounding plants to grow .

An enzyme called nitrogenase vanadium that produces ammonia from nitrogen gas and convert carbon monoxide (CO). The researchers tried to eliminate the nitrogen and oxygen so the enzyme will began to turn the CO into short chains of carbon two and three atoms long. The enzyme is used to and filled the remaining space with CO. A three-carbon chain is more commonly referred to as propane, the blue-flamed gas used in kitchens across America.

The scientists believe that if we could make more carbon-carbon chains, there will be opportunities ways to make synthetic liquid fuel. Further if this technique is being developed can result in some cars powered on their own fumes or even draw fuel from the air itself.