Biotech Updates

Study Shows Diesel from Soybean is Less Toxic than Others

July 13, 2016
http://www.scidev.net/global/health/news/soy-diesel-less-toxic-than-other-fuels.html


A recent laboratory study has proven that fuel made from soybeans does not directly damage lung cells.

This conclusion came after an assessment of the fuel's toxic effects was conducted by researchers from Brazil and Puerto Rico. The research team exposed lung cell cultures to particles emitted by the combustion of four fuel types: commercial diesel from fossil fuel, pure soy-based biodiesel, soy-based biodiesel with additives and ethanol with additives.

After exposure to the emissions, scientists then counted the proportion of cells that survived to assess toxicity and measured the amount of cytokines that the cells produced. Cytokines are proteins secreted by cells which are involved in the regulation of inflammation.

These results could serve as a foundation for a country to consider biodiesel, hoping to use this more. However, these results should not be considered absolute and should only pave the way for further studies.