BENGALURU: Researchers at the IISc have developed a special enzyme system that turns inexpensive fatty acids into valuable biofuels called 1-alkenes, hydrocarbons. According to scientists, hydrocarbons have potential as ‘drop-in’ biofuels, which can be blended and used with existing fuels and infrastructure. In an earlier study, the IISc team purified and characterised an enzyme called UndB, bound to the membranes of living cells, especially certain bacteria. It can convert fatty acids to 1-alkenes at the fastest rate currently possible. When they investigated further, they realised that H2O2 – a byproduct of the reaction process – was inhibiting UndB.

Source: Indian Express June 29, 2024 02:47 UTC