Biotech Updates

Filipino Students Produce Bioethanol from Taro

January 18, 2017
http://biofuels-news.com/display_news/11605/filipino_students_produce_bioethanol_from_taro_plant/

A group of students from St. Louis University in the Philippines has created alternative fuel from the taro plant, locally known as gabi.

Due to this breakthrough, the team received the Business and Idea Development Award last October 2016 from the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry for their biofuel invention dubbed as "Bio-Gab".

"Bio-Gab" biofuel was produced by extracting the oil from wild taro and fermenting it for several weeks. They tested their invention on a separe diesel engine and found that it is comparable to other petroleum products used in cars.

Wild taro is an inedible type of taro, which is hazardous to humans and other animals. It can also grow anywhere, can thrive in almost any type of soil, and is highly resistant to floods and drought. The students found that the plant is rich in substances necessary for bioethanol production.