Cultivating grains through photosynthesis requires fertilizers and pesticides. Resources for phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen in fertilizers are unevenly distributed. This uneven distribution is also a cause of trade friction. If there is a problem, there is a history of humans solving it. Organizations and companies are emerging that are trying to produce sugar (the main component of grains) without relying on fertilizers or pesticides. Among them are Osaka University and Toyota Central Research Institute. Osaka University and Toyota Central Research Institute have developed a technology that uses C02 to produce sugar hundreds of times faster than photosynthesis. First, they create formaldehyde, a simple molecule made of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. The simple molecule formaldehyde is first created by passing electricity through C02 dissolved in water. The next step is to chemically synthesize sugar from formaldehyde using a catalyst. In Osaka University’s method, when this sugar was given to microorganisms as a nutritional source, the number of microorganisms increased approximately five times on the eighth day. Natural microorganisms grew even on chemically produced sugars. This indicates that it has the potential to become food for animals and humans. Osaka University’s method is currently more expensive than agriculturally produced edible sugar, so there is room for improvement in the future. If this technology improves and rivals plant-based sugars, some of humanity’s food problems may be solved.
Japan’s grain self-sufficiency rate is less than 40%. From the perspective of food security, there are concerns about the supply and procurement of sugar produced in agriculture. If Osaka University’s technology improves, it may be possible to eliminate concerns about food procurement. The C02 used in sugar production can be recovered from highly concentrated exhaust gas from factories and power plants. Direct air capture (DAC), which captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, is also becoming popular. If DAC becomes popular and available at low cost, we will be able to secure a supply source for C02. From the perspective of food security, it is necessary to accumulate sugar production technology and prepare for the future. Technology to artificially create this sugar will also contribute to the production of cultured meat. If sugar can be produced artificially, one of the issues with cultured meat can be solved. Currently, artificially produced cultured meat relies on agricultural products for its sugar raw material. If sugar could be produced artificially, it could be used as a nutritional source for protein-producing microorganisms and cultured meat. In a sense, a dream world is emerging that we can secure food without farmland or fertilizer.
