Sweet Sorghum for Biofuel Industry

Share this to :

Renewable sources of energy can help mitigate the negative effects associated with the use of fossil fuels and represent a growing share of the energy portfolio. Biofuels are the only source of liquid transportation fuel that is both renewable and compatible with the existing fleet of vehicles. Sweet sorghum as a biofuel crop has many attractive features that make it an excellent source of renewable energy. The diversion of crop land for cultivation of sweet sorghum does not arise with as it meets food, fuel, and fodder requirement. Sweet sorghum–based ethanol-producing distilleries have been established in China, India, and elsewhere. Besides ethanol, acetone, butanol, lactic acid, butyric acid, hydrogen, and methane are other fermentation products that can be produced. Sweet sorghum also produces several potential native products such as cellulose for paper production, waxes, proteins, and allelopathic compounds such as sorgoleone. In general, complementation of sweet sorghum with sugarcane is possible in those areas of the world where sugarcane is produced, as sweet sorghum is compatible with the infrastructure and the managerial expertise available in the sugarcane industry.

Share this to :