S. Korean researchers develop eco-friendly fertilizer tech using greenhouse gases

A Kyung Hee University research team had developed a new eco-friendly technology that can turn methanol generated in livestock and agricultural areas into a hormone that promotes plant growth and rooting.

The technology uses methylotrophic bacillus to decomposes methane by using methanol as an energy source.

The research team redesigned the methylotrophic bacillus pathway where methane in the air is digested as an amino acid L-tryptophan and turns into the hormone indole acetic acid.

The process allowed sprouts and roots to grow 2 and 3.6 times higher than in a non-processed control group.

At constant temperature and pressure conditions, methane can be converted into alcohol, organic acids, olefins, and biopolymers.