![]() ![]() Although cyanobacteria have many similar features with algae in this context, many cyanobacterial species feature more simple genetic structures and faster growth rates ( 5). Cyanobacteria are collectively responsible for almost 50% of global photosynthesis and are found in a wide range of environments ( 9). For example, the photosynthetic efficiency of photosynthetic microorganisms is higher than plants, and photosynthetic microorganisms can be cultivated in locations that do not compete with traditional agricultural crops ( 8). These microorganisms possess many advantages over traditional terrestrial plants with regard to biochemical production. Photosynthetic microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, are currently being engineered for platforms to convert solar energy to biochemicals renewably ( 5 – 7). Sequestration by photosynthetic microorganisms in which CO 2 is biologically converted to valuable chemicals is an important addition to the toolbox for overall capture of CO 2 ( 5 – 7). Many creative solutions have been proposed and argued for carbon capture, each with varied environmental side-effects and costs ( 4). As a result, atmospheric levels of CO 2 have increased by ∼25% over the past 150 y and it has become increasingly important to develop new technologies to reduce CO 2 emissions. Accelerating accumulation of atmospheric CO 2 is not only a result of increased emissions from world growth and intensifying carbon use, but also from a possible attenuation in the efficiency of the world’s natural carbon sinks ( 3). According to the US Energy Information Administration ( 2), world energy-related CO 2 emissions in 2006 were 29 billion metric tons, which is an increase of 35% from 1990. Considering rapidly increasing world population and exhaustion of fossil fuels, the development of sustainable processes for energy and carbon capture to produce fuels and chemicals is crucial for human society.Įnergy and carbon capture by cyanobacteria is also directed toward mitigating increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. Petroleum and natural gas account for 99% of the feedstocks for chemicals, such as plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals in the chemical industry ( 1). Petroleum consumption reached 37.1 quadrillion BTU in the United States in 2008, of which a large majority (71%) was liquid fuel in the transportation sector. Amid rising global energy demands and pressing environmental issues, interest is growing in the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. ![]()
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