Reverse photosynthesis to create fuel

Danish scientists have found a way to reverse photosynthesis, turning plants into energy and chemicals.

Photosynthesis can be reversed to produce energy. Photo: Benjamin Dobson/Flickr

According toScience Alert, qPhotosynthesis is an important process of plants, converting light energy into chemical energy combined with CO2 to grow and release oxygen. Research on reverse photosynthesis posted onNature Science Magazine April 4.

According to the University of Copenhagen team, the process is done by trapping sunlight in chlorophyll molecules, as plants do in nature. Then, natural monooxygenase enzymes from bacteria and fungi are added, allowing the light energy to break down plant biomass, creating energy and chemicals. There is evidence that bacteria and fungi also use this process to extract nutrients and sugars from plants.

The research has huge implications for the biofuel, plastics, and industrial industries. If reverse photosynthesis could be used, factories could speed up production while cutting down on pollution, a problem that must be solved if humans are to continue living on Earth.

"This phenomenon is happening right in front of our eyes, but no one notices it. Photosynthesis not only helps plants grow, the same principle can also be used to create chemicals," said Claus Felby, a member of the research team.

"In other words, sunlight directly drives chemical processes."

In essence, this is the reverse process of natural photosynthesis.

“We use the term ‘reverse photosynthesis’ because the enzymes use atmospheric oxygen and light to break down and transform carbon bonds in plants and more, instead of helping plants grow and release oxygen like normal photosynthesis,” said Klaus Benedikt Møllers, another member of the research team.

According to Tech Times, with sunlight, this process only takes 5 - 10 minutes, but without light, it takes up to 24 hours to achieve the same level of energy conversion.

According to VNE