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Uganda scientists find ways to get ethanol from stems, leaves
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pangea on 31/03/2010 15:30:00
 
Uganda scientists have made a breakthrough in extracting bio-ethanol from
non-food parts of plants — cassava stems, cassava leaves, pineapple leaves,
elephant grass stems and wood — opening the way for commercial production of
ethanol from new source materials.
The announcement follows more than a year of research into the potential of
non-food parts of plants and cellulosic materials in producing bio-ethanol.
Cellulosic ethanol is difficult and expensive to break down into simple sugars
required for ethanol production, but is eventually cheaper say the researchers
who argue that the initial investment for biofuels is much lower than for fossil
fuels.
“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.
Ethanol is used in the production of pharmaceutical products, food preservation,
home-based energy such as small lanterns, locally made lanterns and other
lighting equipment.
The research aims at producing biofuels that can be blended with fossil fuels to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The government energy policy advocates the increased research and use of modern
renewable energy sources, which it expects to increase from the current four per
cent to 61 per cent of the total energy consumption by 2017.
For more on this article
Source: The East African