Designer Yeast Makes Renewable Jet Fuel
Scientists at Amyris are making an experiment to produce jet fuel from sugar cane. This renewable fuel has the same energy density as the standard jet fuel. It is also advantageous as it has a lower freezing point, fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a renewable source when compared to petroleum-based jet fuel.
Using synthetic biology, scientists have engineered strains of yeast that consume sugar and produce hydrocarbons such as farnesene. This hydrocarbon is further hydrogenated to produce farnesane, a biodiesel and jet fuel. Blending 10% farnesane with Jet A or A-1 fuels will result in 3% reduction in pollutants from engine exhaust and no degradation in fuel performance.