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Enzymatic Cascade for Conversion of CO$_2$ to Methanol

Emissions of CO$_2$ largely contribute to global warming. Carbon dioxide can be captured and used to produce value-added chemicals. This thesis focuses on bioelectrocatalysis as a green and sustainable approach.

Our aim was to perform conversion of CO$_2$ to methanol via a multi-enzymatic cascade. However, for reactions involving oxidoreductases, ß-NAD is required as a cofactor. Its use in stoichiometric amounts is unprofitable. We address the issue by employing electrochemical regeneration of the cofactor.

For the cascade, we expressed and purified formate dehydrogenase, formaldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase. Enzymes activity was tested and found to be low for two enzymes. A reliable method to detect methanol via headspace gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector was developed. We tested the cascade with employed in situ electrochemical cofactor regeneration. After two and a half hours of the reaction 4 µmol methanol were detected. Further research is needed to optimize the setup.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:kaust.edu.sa/oai:repository.kaust.edu.sa:10754/673878
Date11 1900
CreatorsShepard, Lera
ContributorsRueping, Magnus, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Arold, Stefan T., Bau, Jeremy
Source SetsKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Rights2022-12-01, At the time of archiving, the student author of this thesis opted to temporarily restrict access to it. The full text of this thesis will become available to the public after the expiration of the embargo on 2022-12-01.

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