A study by a team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) shows that plants have the potential to capture more carbon dioxide. journal Science Advances.
This paper shows that plants have the potential to increase the amount of aromatic amino acids, building blocks for some biofuels and drugs produced by plants.
Scientists have found a gene mutation in arabidopsis (Arabidopsis is a model plant genetics from the Cabbage family) that can slow down the production of aromatic amino acids, from which, together, compounds used in food, fuel and medicine are obtained.
The researchers also found that altering this gene caused plants to take up 30% more carbon dioxide than usual, without any negative effect on the plants. If they can replicate these results on a large scale, it could influence climate change by lowering the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The scientists' next step will be to try to replicate the results in crops.