How hacking into photosynthesis could solve our food supply problems

Photosynthesis is the principle means of converting inorganic matter into organic matter through light. Thanks to this process, plants are able to use carbon dioxide and the energy provided by light to generate biomass, which directly or indirectly constitutes the food we eat.

However, their performance is not particularly brilliant: it is estimated that only 1% of the energy provided by light and carbon dioxide ends up being incorporated into plants in the form of biomass. What would happen if we were able to technologically hack this process to increase the efficiency of biomass generation and, therefore, obtain more productive processes?

A new model of artificial photosynthesis uses a two-step electro-catalytic process to convert carbon dioxide, electricity and water into acetate, which can be used by multiple organisms to grow, and what’s more, in the dark. The consequences could be huge: if we start with electricity obtained through renewable processes, such as that generated by solar panels, to feed the electro-catalytic process, we can increase the conversion of light to biomass by a factor of 18 in the case of some organisms such as green algae, yeasts or fungal mycelia. Many plants, such as beans, peas, tomatoes or rice are also able to grow in the dark with an acetate input.