Chinese scientists for the first time synthesize starch from carbon dioxide

Chinese scientists have developed an artificial method of synthesizing starch from carbon dioxide, the first of its kind globally.

Photo taken on Sept. 23, 2021 shows a scene of the press conference. Chinese scientists have developed an artificial method of synthesizing starch from carbon dioxide, the first of its kind globally. The study, conducted by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was published in the journal Science on Friday. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

The study, conducted by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was published in the journal Science on Friday.

As a major component of food, starch is generally produced by crops through photosynthesis. Starch synthesis in nature needs about 60 metabolic reactions and complex physiological regulation.

Many studies have been carried out globally on starch synthesis, but little progress had been made before.

The research team has designed an artificial starch synthesis pathway consisting of only 11 core reactions, achieving complete synthesis from carbon dioxide to starch molecules in the laboratory for the first time, said Ma Yanhe, Director General of the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology.

The structure of the synthetic starch was proved to be the same as that of natural starch, said Ma, who is also the corresponding author of the study.