Research Results

Harnessing natural photosynthesis to reduce CO₂: Successful conversion of carbon dioxide into plastic feedstock.

Key points of this study

• Successful synthesis of fumaric acid, a plastic feedstock, from carbon dioxide using a biocatalyst.
• High expectations for polymer synthesis using light energy, which highly mimics natural photosynthesis.

Summary

Professor Yutaka Amao (Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka Metropolitan University) and Graduate student Mika Takeuchi (1^st year, Master's course, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science) have successfully synthesized fumaric acid, a precursor for unsaturated polyester resins, by combining carbon dioxide with pyruvic acid, a biomass-derived compound, using two biocatalysts: decarboxylating malic enzyme and fumarase.

Currently, fumaric acid, a key component of biodegradable plastics such as polybutylene succinate, is synthesized from petroleum-based resources. However, this research has enabled the synthesis of fumaric acid from carbon dioxide and biomass-derived compounds.

This research achievement was published online in the advance edition of the international journal "Reaction Chemistry & Engineering" by the Royal Society of Chemistry on July 13, 2022.

Financial Information

Part of this research was supported by the Academic Research Grant International Collaborative Research Acceleration Fund (International Collaborative Research Enhancement (B)).

Publication Information

⇒All Press Release (PDF:902.8KB)

Inquiries about research

Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka Metropolitan University
Professor: Yutaka Amao
TEL: 06-6605-3726
E-mail: amao[at]omu.ac.jp (Change [at] to @)

Inquiries about the press

Osaka Metropolitan University Public Relations Division
Person in charge: Kunida
TEL: 06-6605-3411
E-mail: koho-list[at]ml.omu.ac.jp (Change [at] to @)

SDGs

Article source: Osaka Metropolitan University website