http://otd.ou.edu/news/2006/06_25_06OU_leading_industryNT.html
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, a quasi-public research agency, related to the University of Oklahoma, released a report today, giving results of research on conversion of petroleum into food for humans and animals. “The economics are almost there” noted a spokesman for the Center, “As you know, the prices of corn and other traditional food sources have been rising steadily because of the maturing market for biodesiel, and other technologies to extract energy from food sources. This has clearly exerted an inflationary pressure on food prices in general, with adverse effects to economically disadvantaged citizens throughout the world. At this time, the two competing demands have nearly converged.“
The Center has received a patent for a catalytic compound developed in their laboratories which combines the hydrocarbons in petroleum with water to form carbohydrates with very little net energy input. The process yields a black powder similar to wheat flour, which then can be formulated into various food products. The center provided a demonstration meal of dark, molasses colored “petro-cakes,“ or pancakes made of the material, and fried chicken with a black crispy coating also made of the material. Several Oklahoma University students sampled the creations and reported generally favorable comments. “It’s a little oily” reported one student. The spokesman admitted that further research is needed to improve the aesthetics of the product, but at it’s current state of developement, “it is nutritious and safe.“ “One of the benefits,“ he added is that, “it is not necessary to use traditonal ancilliary products such as cooking oil.“ “It does make an exellent pumpernickel,“ he added.
The largest hurdle facing this technology seems to be the transer of the technology from university research to private industry. The Center reportedly has several proposals from industry, including one from Exxon Mobil, who proposed a private label snack cake to be sold exclusively at their franchise convenience stores. A proposal was also received from Kelloggs, who proposed a “high-octane” sweetened breakfast cereal to be marketed as “Black Gold Nuggets”. The spokesman indicated that the proposals will be carefully evaluated before announcing a corporate partner. Based on current trends in corn futures, the project should be commercially viable within 3 years.
While this project is near to commercial fruition, research is proceeding into the direction of utilizing coal as a basic material. A new research project has been launched, in cooperation with West Virginia University, using a biological process to convert coal to food. “The basic process is similar, but uses a genetically engineered bacterium related to bacteria presently used to treat oil spills.“ The spokesman continued, “If this reseach can simplify the process, Americans could be sitting on an unlimited supply of food, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.“
