AgTech : Scientist found that biofuel could made by using Grape waste

University of Adelaide researchers have found that solid waste left over from wine-making could make a competitive biofuel. Scientist said that up to 400 litres of bioethanol could be produced by fermentation of a tonne of grape marc (the leftover skins, stalks and seeds from wine-making). Global wine production leaves an estimated 13 million tonnes of grape marc waste each year. Nationally it is estimated that several hundred thousand tonnes are generated annually and it is generally disposed of at a cost to the winery. "This is a potentially economic use for what is largely a waste product," says Associate Professor Rachel Burton, Program Leader with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine. The majority of the carbohydrates found in grape marc could be converted directly to ethanol through fermentation with a yield of up to 270 litres per tonne of grape marc. Ethanol yields could be increased by pre-treatment with acid and enzymes up to 400 litres a tonne.

Source : http://www.eurekalert.org /