28/12/2006

Can plants replace mineral raw materials, such as petroleum and be used for the production of energy, fuel and a variety of other products? According to scientific reports of the European project, EPOBIO, in which the Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology (IBRB) of the National Hellenic Research Foundation is participating, plants can work as ?green factories? using solar energy and producing biofuel, bioplastics and several other products cheaply and in large quantities. Their utilisation could trigger an energy revolution and help restore an environmental balance.

The EPOBIO project ("realising the Economic POtential of sustainable resources - BIOproducts from Non-Food Crops"), studies the economic potential offered by organic materials and aims to determine research priorities for bio-sciences and to create new bio-products that will reach the market in the next 10-15 years. Twelve research bodies from Europe and the USA are participating in the project, which is co-funded by the 6th Framework Programme. The coordinator is the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products of the University of York in the UK.

Recently, the project?s first report was published that concerns the unlimited capabilities of plants. In particular, the following topics were discussed:

- Alternative sources of natural rubber: Natural rubber is a product that cannot be replaced by synthetic materials in many of its applications, such as in production of tyres for trucks and airplanes. However, allergic reactions to natural rubber proteins is increasing, a fact that harbours risks, since it is also used to manufacture medical products. Moreover, the rubber tree (Hevea Βrasiliensis) is in danger from a disease, which has already decimated its widespread production in South America. Therefore, an alternative source of non-allergic, natural rubber is required, such as the guayule plant in Europe.

- Capability of using plants for power productions: Bio-fuel, electricity, chemicals, different materials and fibres can be manufactured in processing systems called bio-refineries using plants instead of petroleum. The advantages of natural raw materials concern both the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, which cause the greenhouse effect, as well as the sustainability of supply. However, natural materials and their processing methods must be improved so that production can be made easier, with better quality and quantity and with a reduced amount of energy and chemicals needed for processing.

- Capability for producing lubricants from plants: Vegetable oils have a structure and properties similar to mineral oils (petroleum products) and can replace them in several applications. Although plant-derived waxes have excellent properties as lubricants, their use is limited because of the high cost of extraction from the jojoba plant. Wax production from the non-food oil-crop Crambe at low cost may lead to the production of environmentally friendly lubricants with wide-spread use (e.g. lubricants for engines and hydraulic fluids).

The team of the Institute of Biological Research and Biotechnology of the NHRF is responsible for examining the social impact of such applications and the integration of new technologies into society. IBRB researcher and scientific director of the project, Dr. Georgios Sakellaris notes that "science and technology are better integrated into society when the public understands and appreciates the benefits that the former have to offer. Knowledge of public opinion not only indicates the suitability of technological applications in a certain social environment, but also provides the guidelines for the development of the proper legal framework".

Furthermore, Dianna Bowles, the coordinator of the EPOBIO project, underlines that using plants to provide raw materials for the production of all currently manufactured petroleum based products is an important step for the creation of a viable society that can react to issues such as increasing prices for energy production, a sustainable supply of raw materials and the consequences of human intervention on the environment.

Information on the EPOBIO project:
Dr Louisa Wright
Tel: +44 (0)19 04 328802

Information on the social analysis and research opinion of EPOBIO (IBRB):
Dr Georgios Sakellaris, Mrs Maria Paschou
Tel: +30 210 72 73 735 -6

Source: National Hellenic Research Foundation