This review rounds up how bacteria and fungi, often with engineered help, oxidize long carbon chains (alkanes) into diols and diacids, the raw materials behind nylon, lubricants, and biodegradable plastics, using feedstocks that can come from petroleum, chemically recycled plastic, or plant-based sources.
1
Diterminal (α,ω) oxidation of alkanes into diols and diacids relies on distinct enzymatic systems depending on the chain length of the starting alkane.
2
Enzyme engineering, metabolic engineering, and process optimization are the three main strategies being used to boost bioconversion efficiency.
3
Alkane feedstocks for these bioprocesses can be sourced from petroleum, chemically recycled plastics, or plant-based renewable resources.
mail
Weekly plant science — one email, Saturdays.
Check your inbox to confirm — link expires in 24 hours.
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many signup attempts from your network. Try again in an hour, or email hello@plant.news.