…vanillin also can be made synthetically using chemicals derived from petroleum. To create it from plastic, instead, researchers genetically modified a strain of E. coli bacteria so that it can make vanillin from terephthalic acid (TA)—a raw material used in the production of plastic bottles, which can be broken down using special enzymes that reduce them to their basic chemical components.2 Because it uses microbial fermentation, the chemistry is similar to that of brewing beer.
According to the paper, approximately 85% of the world’s vanillin is synthesized from chemicals that are derived from fossil fuels, including crude oil.
Being able to create vanillin with plastic instead of petroleum means increasing vanillin supply while mitigating plastic waste, reducing industrial reliance on fossil fuels, and preserving forests.
I’m still confused why planting “more” barley will help make it carbon neutral. Just curious what you meant by that since I don’t have knowledge of grain production.
Ah, bad phrasing on my part. By “more” I meant planting as much barley as you used to replace it like for like.
Makes sense. Though I think where you plant it should also be considered. If you burn down a forest to turn it into a grain farm, that’s not carbon neutral no matter how “responsibly” you do the actual planting.
Agreed, it would have to be the same farm in the next season or reclaimed space and the whole farming/processing/delivery system would also have to be carbon neutral/negative.