Fruit can create 'strong fuel'

Sugar found in fruits such as apples and oranges can be turned into a low-carbon car fuel, according to US researchers. Made from fructose, this fuel contains more energy than ethanol.

Can fruit be turned into fuel of the future?(Photo: BBC)

Meanwhile, all types of waste, including plastic bags, can be used to create biodiesel biofuels. But critics say the current types of biofuels, both diesel made from palm oil and ethanol made from cereals, encourage farmers to devote land to fuel production, making food prices rise.

Now scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison say a simple sugar called fructose can be turned into a fuel that has many advantages over ethanol. Known as dimethylfuran, this fuel can contain more energy than 40% ethanol, does not evaporate easily and is less volatile than ethanol.

Scientists say fructose can be extracted directly from fruits and herbs or made from glucose.

Q.HONG