Tobacco Plant Oil Used to Make Bio-diesel

Source from:  CCTV America  09/26/2014

A U.S biotechnology company is pioneering tobacco as a renewable bio-fuel crop. Unlike most bio-tech firms, Tyton BioEnergy Systems is not working in a science park close to a university. Instead it has chosen to locate at the heart of traditional tobacco country in the state of Virginia. CCTV America's Daniel Ryntjes reports with details.

The techniques for producing smoking tobacco in Danville, Virginia were developed more than two centuries ago. But increased global competition and declining cigarette sales have hurt this area's economy. Tyton BioEnergy Systems is modifying tobacco plants to produce a bio-fuel crop. This firm uses the plants' genetic code to boost its sugar and oil content. The sugar is used to make ethanol, a mandated additive in U.S gasoline. The plant's oil is extracted to make bio-diesel.

Dr.Julian Bobe, Chief Technology Officer, Tyton BioEnergy Systems says, "energy tobacco does not exist. Nobody is making ethanol from tobacco. So in many ways this is a new thing for everybody."

The firm is working alongside local farmers, who have grown some acres of their plot for the team to work on.Given that tobacco grows in more than 120 countries worldwide, the team at Tyton BioEnergy Systems believes that making tobacco a viable bio fuel crop with farmers in Virginia could have major global benefits. Enditem