Agave - the source of tequila and biofuels

Agave, the plant from which we make a popular alcoholic drink tequila, could soon become a major source of biofuels. Researchers have discovered that the plant composition very well for the production of biofuels, but perhaps most importantly that it could solve the biggest problem at the moment when it comes to these fuels, and that is land use. What's the secret? Biofuels could receive in the form of byproducts from the production process tequila, as in Mexico, Africa and Australia and many other places, but there are plantations with the plants (some of them have been abandoned), there is simply no need to seek new ground for its cultivation . In other words, there is no need to take land that is already used for food production or to cut down forests. True, it is necessary to conduct further research to see what kind of agave can ensure maximum efficiency and that is most resistant to semi-dry regions in which to grow, but by all accounts, we only hear about this plant and its usefulness.

Bioenergetic analyst Sarah Davis said: "We need plants for bioenergy, which includes a small risk of unplanned changes in land use. Biomass from the agave can be collected in the form of by-products of tequila without additional requirements for the land. "At the same time, says analyst, stoned plantations in Mexico and Africa that were formerly used to obtain different fibers could be re-regulate the production of biomass for biofuels. The fact is that aloe could be a new hero in the bioenergy world besides in the form of tequila pleases students at parties. But it is very economical and environmental terms is very acceptable and suitable for the production capacities of Africa, Australia and Mexico.

The study was conducted at the University of Illinois, and the details published in the journal Global Change Biology Bioenergy. The scientists are based on 14 sub-studies concluded that two types of agave are incredibly high biofuel potential, much higher than that of corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum.