Researchers Converted Cyclohexanol to Adipic Acid
A new biocatalytic method using bacterial biofilms offers a path to reduce the fossil-fuel reliance of nylon production.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Chemistry
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Researchers have demonstrated a biocatalytic process that converts cyclohexanol into adipic acid, a key building block for nylon 66. This research-stage development, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, provides a potential alternative to conventional petrochemical production methods.
Why it matters
Current adipic acid manufacturing relies heavily on fossil-based raw materials and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to this bio-based approach could mitigate the environmental impact of industrial chemical synthesis.
The system utilizes the bacterial strain Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 grown on a porous support structure of poplar and polyethylene terephthalate. This configuration reached a density of 300 grams of dry biomass per square meter, optimized via a design of experiments framework.
The players
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
A German research institution focused on analyzing the complexity of environmental systems and developing sustainable chemical solutions.
Istanbul Technical University
A Turkish public university recognized for its research in chemical engineering and sustainable materials.
The details
The team employed a biofilm bioreactor—a system where microorganisms attach to a surface to form a dense, productive layer—to facilitate the conversion. By using a dynamic glucose feed—a technique that regulates nutrient supply based on real-time metabolic demand—researchers managed the biofilm development to maximize efficiency. This process avoids the harsh conditions typically required for petrochemical-based adipic acid synthesis, instead leveraging the metabolic pathways of the engineered bacteria.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The research results were published.
The Tech Race
This development represents a shift toward green chemistry to replace the carbon-intensive status quo of adipic acid synthesis. It follows a research trend of using engineered bacterial strains to displace traditional chemical catalysis in large-scale manufacturing.
As this method remains in the research stage, there is no immediate change for consumers of nylon-based products or industrial suppliers. The technology must first demonstrate stability at industrial scales before it can influence the production costs of nylon 66.
The takeaway
This research proves that a microbial approach can successfully synthesize a critical plastic precursor from non-fossil sources. Interested parties should watch for follow-up studies detailing the stability of the Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 strain over extended operational cycles.
Further reading
Explore more developments in sustainable synthesis in our Chemistry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chemicalonline.
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