Uganda scientists find ways to get ethanol from stems, leaves

Market waste

The scientists used waste materials from markets. It is hoped that once commercial production begins the waste from the markets would reduce as they become valuable.

One kilogramme of cellulosic feed stock can produce more than 400ml of 90 per cent ethanol.

However this depends on the distillation procedure used and the method of hydrolysis used.

Bioethanol production is a bonus to farmers as the country exploits the crops industrial potential.

For instance, a cassava farmer will be attracted to increase cassava production which is itself assurance against hunger, sell the tubers, the leaves, peels and excess stems that would otherwise have been burnt.

“We have a wonderful discovery for this country but it needs to be scaled up to reach more people. Our duty has been to generate scientific evidence and we can confidently say it works,” said Dr Baguma.