REPSOL Optimized lignocellulose exploitation from Solanaceae canopy (OPTISOL)
Fossil fuels are used throughout the world for a broad range of purposes, starting with heating up family homes to powering road vehicles. Besides these energy demands, great parts of our modern society depend on petrochemical products, including plastics, lubricants, waxes, and paints. Hence, the depletion of primary energy resources, namely coal, natural gas, and oil, poses a global threat that raises the importance of renewable energies and alternative feedstock for industrial products.
The utilization of sugar-rich plant matter is one very promising approach to overcome problems arising from the steady decrease of fossil resources. However, to harness the intrinsic potential of lignocellulosic plant material for sustainable bioenergy production, it is essential to optimize energy output efficiency without the creation of novel adverse environmental, social or economic issues.
The aim of the OPTISOL project is to optimize the release of sugar from plant tissue. These sugars may in turn be used as feedstock to produce biofuel or related products. We are particularly concerned to accomplish our tasks without the employment of transgenic plants in the field and without diminishing fruit yield and biomass production. Ultimately, this will likely provide a true added value, allowing more effective usage of plant matter in new applications.
- Dauer: 2012-2014
- Projektleitung: Prof. Dr. Julia Kehr
- Drittmittelgeber: Repsol INSPIRE Program