Arizona State University researcher describes microorganisms chain elongation processes

In Arizona, a researcher from Arizona State University describes for the first time how the chain elongation processes are carried out by microorganisms under normal conditions in soil.

The work promises to shed new light on these poorly understood processes in nature, allowing researchers to better leverage them to convert organic sources like food waste into valuable products. Such techniques offer a double benefit to society, minimizing or eliminating environmental waste/contaminants while producing biochemicals or biofuels and other important resources, through green chemistry. The work will also help researchers expand their knowledge of microbial ecology.