Transgenic ‘superplant’ could clean your home’s air

Neoplants, a French biotechnology startup, launches a new genetically modified plant – Neo P1 – this is equivalent to the work done by up to 30 houseplants in terms of air purification. Initially, Neo P1 is a variety of pothos, a species known to survive in nearly all ecosystem types.

The choice was not accidental: the resistant plant is already known to be good at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. In the case of the Neo P1, it has been specifically designed to capture the most toxic VOCs in Earth’s atmosphere in large quantities: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene.

To give the genetically modified plant “a little help”, some genes were strategically added to it, thereby producing certain enzymes that convert these four dangerous compounds into harmless substances: formaldehyde in fructose; and the other three on an amino acid.

How can the Neo P1 clean the air with greater power?

In addition to genetic modifications in the plant itself, it is grown in a special soil called biochar, which contains charcoal used in soil improvement. Produced by heating biomass, this material provides a safe home for beneficial microorganisms. – Power Drops – added once a month.

These microscopic entities increase their ability to clean the air by absorbing life-sustaining nutrients from the plant. And as air flows over the floor through slits in the provided container, they start to capture more VOCs on their own.

According to Neoplants the ratio of air purification to soil will depend on the size of the plant but should be 50:50 when the Neo P1 matures. genetically modified plant will start selling soon for US$179 (R$927)including three Power Drops.