Artificial photosynthesis systems are considered promising for capturing carbon dioxide and producing food. Scientists have been trying to solve this problem for a long time. Just such a system was developed by researchers from the University of California, reports Nature magazine.
Two-stage electrolysis of carbon dioxide produces acetate, the main component of vinegar, with a carbon selectivity of 57%, which allows it to be directly used for heterotrophic cultivation of yeast, fungi and green algae in the dark without biological photosynthesis.
Further, the latest method will be tested for higher plants: tobacco, rice, tomatoes and rapeseed. An evaluation of nine crops showed that carbon from exogenously supplied acetate is incorporated into biomass through major metabolic pathways.
Combining this approach with existing photovoltaic systems can increase the efficiency of converting solar energy into food by about four times compared to biological photosynthesis, which does not exceed ~1%.