Using N2 as a final electron receptor in yeast to produce NH3 in bioreactors

Abstract

This research proposal aims for the replacement of N2 molecule (instead of O2) as a final electron receptor in micro-organisms so that they can produce NH3, which is important industrially, instead of H2O. This idea is based on the hypothesis that replacement of the central atom in gas-carrying compounds in living organisms such as chlorophyll, heme and hemocyanin would replace the fixed gas. However, NH3 is an expensive product because it is produced using the Haber-Bosch reaction technique which requires high temperature and pressure. Therefore, it is predictable here to produce NH3 so simply in bioreactors which is a great economic benefit.

Keywords

• nitrogen fixation; chlorophyll; heme; ammonia
• fer