Scientists at the Technical University of Munich have developed a sustainable method for producing the essential amino acid L-alanine from CO2. The process uses artificial photosynthesis, in which CO2 is converted into methanol and then into L-alanine. This new method requires less space than traditional agriculture, highlighting the potential of combining the bioeconomy and the hydrogen economy for a more sustainable future. Researchers produce an important amino acid from the greenhouse gas CO2. – Growing demand for food in the world – Biotechnological process via methanol as an intermediate – Less land is required than for growing plants. Securing food supplies for an ever-growing world population while protecting the environment are often conflicting goals. Now researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have successfully developed a method for synthetically producing nutritional proteins using a type of artificial fotosynthesisThe feed industry is the primary driver of the high demand for large volumes of nutritional proteins, which are also suitable for use in meat substitutes. A group led by Prof. Volker Sieber at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability (TUMCS) has succeeded in producing the amino acid L -alanine, a basic building block of proteins, from CO gas₂ harmful to the environment. Their indirect biotechnological process involves methanol as an intermediate. Until now, animal feed proteins have typically been produced in the southern hemisphere, with large demands on agricultural space and negative consequences for biodiversity. WHAT₂, which is removed from the atmosphere, is first converted into methanol using green electricity and hydrogen. The new method converts this intermediate into L-alanine in a multi-step process using synthetic enzymes; the method is extremely efficient and generates very high yields. L-alanine is one of the most important components of proteins, which are essential for human and animal nutrition. Prof. Sieber from the TUM Professorship for the Chemistry of Biogenic Resources explains: "Compared to growing plants, this method requires much less space to produce the same amount of L-alanine, when the energy used comes from solar or wind energy sources. The more efficient use of space means that a certain type of artificial photosynthesis can be used to produce the same amount of food on significantly fewer acres. This paves the way for a smaller ecological footprint in agriculture." (Technical University of Munich(SciTecDaily)