Scientists from Uganda have begun extracting bioethanol from inedible plant parts including cassava stems and leaves, pineapple leaves, elephant grass stems, and wood.
This research brings bioethanol a step closer to becoming a commercially viable product in the country. Cellulosic ethanol is difficult and expensive to break down into simple sugars required for ethanol production, but is eventually cheaper according to researchers. “The research has proved that it is possible to get high quality ethanol for use in sanitary and automobile fuel. This offers an investment opportunity and we are ready to partner with investors in the private sector,” said Dr Yona Baguma a molecular biologist and lead researcher.
Scientists used waste materials including 1 kg of cellulosic feedstock which can produce more than 400 ml of 90% ethanol depending upon the distillation and hydrolysis procedures.
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