Role of Alternate Fuels (Bioethanol and Biodiesel) in Preventing Environmental Degradation

Abstract

The diminishing quantity of fossil fuels and environmental degradation lead to the search for renewable and environmentally friendly fuels that can substitute petroleum. The burning of petroleum products releases gases that pollute the environment, hence need for alternate fuels was realized. Biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol derived from food crops, biomass, algae, vegetable oil, animal fats, or lignocellulosic materials are renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic. They possess low quantities of sulfur, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals and are considered eco-friendly. Biotechnological methods have been adapted to increase the production of crop plants that are used in the production of biofuels. Genes encoding for enzymes that degrade lignin, an important component of food crops,have also been inserted in food crops so that processing can be made easier for getting increased production of biofuels.