From enzyme to cell-factory: Economic and environmental assessment of biobased pathways to unlock the potential of long-haul transportation biofuels

Author(s)

Chagas, Mateus Ferreira ; Ferreira, Gabriela Filipini ; Gomes, Luisa Clemente Magalhaes ; Zanphorlin, Leticia Maria ; Martins, Liliana Zanelli Oliveira ; Sampaio, Isabelle Lobo Mesquita ; Hernandes, Thayse Aparecida Dourado ; Junqueira, Tassia Lopes ; Morais, Edvaldo Rodrigo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL; v. 469, p. 16-pg., 2023-06-09.

Abstract

The transportation sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions due to its reliance on fossil fuels. Biofuels offer a low-carbon alternative, particularly for long-haul transportation. Although few biosynthetic pathways reached technological maturity with commercial plants, recent literature shows a variety of laboratoryscale progresses targeting these biofuels. Early-stage sustainability assessments can help identify opportunities for metabolic engineering and process improvements toward more sustainable routes. This study evaluated the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of producing drop-in biofuels from sugarcane and soybean oil, considering fermentative and enzymatic processes. The results showed that sugarcane-based scenarios presented a better prospect and that integrating steps within microorganisms' metabolism in a cell factory concept had advantages over the cell-free enzymatic process. Biobased pathways, however, still require improvements to be competitive with catalytic-based alternatives. Recommendations were made to guide microorganism engineering, focusing on factors that restrain economic and environmental feasibility (e.g., inputs use). As a result, the improved biobased process could provide a hydrocarbon-based fuel with a minimum selling price (US$ 21.2 GJ-1) compatible with market prices and carbon intensity (25.1 gCO2eq MJ-1) similar to that from sugarcane ethanol, representing over 70 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil fuels. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/08855-1 - New mechanisms of P450: an enzymatic strategy for renewable hydrocarbons
• Grantee: Leticia Maria Zanphorlin
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants