Ethanol-based fuel is more efficient than previously thought, according to scientists advocating corn-produced alcohol in the journal Science.

The publication featured several articles from scientists who believe it is high time that ethanol was fully developed as an alternative fuel. They suggested that it could solve both energy and environmental problems.

However, current manufacturing methods for ethanol produced greenhouse gases and would need to be cleaned up before it entered mass use.

New cellulosic technologies to produce ethanol, using the woody parts of plants to break down fibres, are being investigated.

Alexander Farrell of the University of California in Berkley told Reuters: "We find that ethanol can, if it is made correctly, contribute significantly to both energy and environmental goals. However, the current way of producing ethanol with corn probably only meets energy goals."

He added that the environmental problems associated with ethanol "come entirely from making fertilizer, running the tractors over the farm and operating the biorefinery".


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