Biodegradable nylon precursor produced through artificial photosynthesis
Technology uses biomass-derived compounds and ammonia to produce an eco-friendly alternative plastic
2025-01-22
(Press-News.org)
Nylon, the durable and elastic material, is like other plastics made from chemicals found in fossil fuels. Biodegradable plastics based on biomass-derived compounds are attracting attention as an alternative to conventional plastics, and Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have now synthesized biodegradable nylon precursors.
Professor Yutaka Amao’s team at the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis previously reported on a method for producing raw materials for biodegradable plastics from biomass-derived compounds. A polyester-type biodegradable plastic could be formed by using L-lactic acid as the raw material for polylactic acid.
This time, by using L-alanine, an amino acid with a similar structure, the team created raw material for a nylon-type biodegradable plastic. Artificial photosynthesis technology was developed with the addition of the biocatalyst L-alanine dehydrogenase, which combines ammonia with pyruvate to produce L-alanine, to the photoredox system composed of a dye and a catalyst.
“We have also succeeded in synthesizing the precursor of biodegradable nylon poly-L-alanine using solar energy,” Professor Amao declared. “In the future, we hope to achieve the synthesis of nylon precursors that have a low impact on the environment, with the aim of producing L-alanine through artificial photosynthesis using ammonia derived from biomass compounds.”
The findings were published in Sustainable Energy & Fuels.
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About OMU
Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
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[Press-News.org] Biodegradable nylon precursor produced through artificial photosynthesis
Technology uses biomass-derived compounds and ammonia to produce an eco-friendly alternative plastic
