US professor identifies enzyme for bio-isobutylene

ERJ staff report (DS)

Ames, Iowa -- Following announcements related to bio-isoprene and bio-butadiene, now researchers have found a potential route to bio-isobutylene.

Thomas Bobik, professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology at Iowa State University, invented a process for manufacturing isobutene (isobutylene) by identifying a natural enzyme that produces the fuel organically.

Bobik's enzyme makes it possible to convert the glucose found naturally in plants to make isobutene. The enzyme is found naturally in about half of all organisms in the world. He said the patent procedure is still underway, so declined to name the specific enzyme.

"I would emphasize that we are very early on in the process," said Bobik. "But isobutene has some special properties that could have a big impact."

"The activity of the enzyme (in making the isobutene) is low," Bobik said. "It's too low for commercial application. So we're trying to use directed enzyme evolution to improve the activity of the enzyme so it can become commercially viable."

Isobutene is a key ingredient in the manufacture of butyl rubber. it can also be converted to iso-octene which can be used as a fuel.

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Press release from Iowa State University