Cellulose

The limited availability of biomaterials for ethanol production has created interest in converting cellulose into ethanol. Cellulose is the material found in all plants. It makes up the woody substance, provides the stiffness in grasses and provides structure to plants. People cannot digest cellulose, so it is not a food substance. Cellulose is made up of long chains of sugar molecules. The sugar molecules can be separated and converted to ethanol to be used as a fuel source. The processes involved currently are both energy-intensive and expensive. Scientists are conducting research to find more efficient ways of breaking down cellulose to produce fuel from rapidly growing plants such as switchgrass.