GM Tobacco Plants May Boost Biofuel Industry

Researchers try to genetically modify tobacco to produce enzymes for breaking down biomass from forest raw materials. This may lead to a more effective, economic, and sustainable production of biofuels.

A Norwegian-based research project now aims to develop low cost production of industrial enzymes using tobacco plants as a "green factory". Such enzymes may be used in the production of second generation biofuels, and to produce biochemicals that can replace various oil-based products.

"Plants can use CO₂ and energy from the sun for free. The whole production process of making the enzymes in plants is cheap, and environmentally friendly," explains Dr. Jihong Liu Clarke from Bioforsk. Tobacco is ideal for this purpose, because it has a good biomass, grows quickly, and can be harvested several times a year.