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U.S. use of genetically modified bacteria to synthesize high-energy biofuels
High-energy fuels play a crucial role when minimizing fuel weight is essential. A compound derived from terpenes, extracted from trees, can dimerize to form terpene dimers with energy density similar to aviation fuel JP-10. Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Joint BioEnergy Research Institute have genetically modified bacteria to produce these terpenes, aiming to replace JP-10 in critical applications like missile launches and other aerospace operations. Unlike traditional oil-based JP-10, which has limited refinement potential, this biofuel approach offers a sustainable alternative that could drive the development of next-generation engines.
Recently, the research was published in the *ACS Synthetic Biology* journal. According to a report by the Physicist Organization Network on March 26th, the study was led by Stephen Sharia, a graduate student at Georgia Tech, under the supervision of associate professor Pamela Perata-Yaia. The team significantly boosted terpene production, increasing it sixfold during early stages. They are exploring different enzymes—specifically three types of terpene synthase (PS) and three types of geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPP)—to optimize the process and maximize yield. Currently, they achieve about 32 mg per liter, but to compete with JP-10, production needs to increase 26 times, according to Perata-Yaia. However, she believes this is achievable through further engineering of *E. coli*.
One major challenge lies in enzyme inhibition caused by high substrate concentrations. "We found that the enzyme becomes suppressed by the matrix," she explained. "This inhibition depends on the concentration level. What we need is an enzyme that remains active in high-strength matrices or one that maintains low substrate levels throughout the reaction." Both solutions are technically challenging but not impossible.
JP-10, currently sourced from oil, is limited in supply and expensive, costing around 25 cents per gallon. In contrast, tree-derived terpenes offer a more scalable solution. This gives biofuels a competitive edge over traditional gasoline or diesel alternatives, which face much lower prices—around 3 cents per gallon. "If you're working on gasoline substitutes, you have to go through a long optimization process," Perata-Yaia said. "With our project, we’re competing with 25 cents per gallon, so we have less time to make it work."
Despite being at just a few milligrams per liter, the high value of these terpenes means the project is closer to its goal than many other biofuel initiatives. "In theory, producing terpenes could be cheaper than oil refining," she added. If successful, this could revolutionize high-energy fuel sources, making them lighter, more efficient, and more sustainable.
"We are developing a sustainable, high-energy-density strategic fuel, but it's still in its early stages," Perata-Yaia said. "Our focus is on creating a 'test' fuel that resembles oil-based fuel to fit into existing distribution systems."