Lipase and photodecarboxylase coexpression: A potential strategy for alkane-based biodiesel production from natural triglycerides

Alkane-based biodiesel is considered the next generation of biodiesel owing to its potential environmental benefits and the fact that it exhibits much higher specific caloric values than traditional biodiesel.However,the formidable obstacle impeding the commercialization of this cutting-edge fuel alternative lies in the cost associated with its production.In this study,an engineered strain Escherichia coli(E.coli)showcasing harmonized coexpression of a lipase(from Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase,TLL)and a fatty acid photodecarboxylase(from Chlorella variabilis,CvFAP)was first constructed to transform triglycerides into alkanes.The potential of E.coli BL21(DE3)/pRSFDuet-1-TLL-CvFAP for alkane synthesis was evaluated with tripalmitin as a model substrate under various process conditions.Following a comprehensive examination of the reaction parameters,the scope of the biotransformation was expanded to‘real’substrates(vegetable oils).The results showed that bioderived oils can be transformed into alkanes with high yields(0.80-10.20 mmol·L^(-1))under mild conditions(35℃,pH 8.0,and 36 h)and blue light illumination.The selected processes were performed on an increased lab scale(up to 100 ml)with up to 24.77 mmol·L^(-1) tripalmitin,leading to a yield of 18.89 mmol·L^(-1) pentadecane.With the employment of a method for efficiently producing alkanes under mild conditions and a simple procedure to isolate alkanes from the reaction system,the utilization of sustainable biomass as a fundamental feedstock emerges as the primary solution to lower the cost of alkane-based biodiesel.Thus,this study proposes a readily implementable and highly effective approach for alkane-based biodiesel production.

Environmental Taxes and Agriculture in the European Union and the Netherlands

This paper analyzes the introduction of environmental taxes in the EU and Netherlands and their effects on agriculture, with a special focus on the background of the introduction of environmental tax systems, their design concepts and effects on agriculture, the effects of fertilizer taxes in promoting sustainable agriculture, policy packages between environmental tax and environmental agreements, effects on globalization and global competitiveness, and conversion to renewable energy based on biomass resources.

Biotemplated synthesis of three-dimensional porous MnO/C-N nanocomposites from renewable rapeseed pollen： An anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries （LIBs） are currently recognized as one of the most popular power sources available. To construct advanced LIBs exhibiting long-term endurance, great attention has been paid to enhancing their poor cycle stabilities. As the performance of LIBs is dependent on the electrode materials employed, the most promising approach to improve their life span is the design of novel electrode materials. We herein describe the rational design of a three-dimensional （3D） porous MnO/C-N nanoarchitecture as an anode material for long cycle life LIBs based on their preparation from inexpensive, renewable, and abundant rapeseed pollen （R-pollen） via a facile immersion-annealing route. Remarkably, the as-prepared MnO/C-N with its optimized 3D nanostructure exhibited a high specific capacity （756.5 mAh·g^-1 at a rate of 100 mA·g^-1）, long life span （specific discharge capacity of 513.0 mAh·g^-1, -95.16% of the initial reversible capacity, after 400 cycles at 300 mA·g^-1）, and good rate capability. This material therefore represents a promising alternative candidate for the high-performance anode of next-generation LIBs.