Scientists have found a way of turning plant sugars into a fuel which is just as powerful as petrol. Researchers have found that fructose, the sugar that gives fruit such as apples and oranges their sweetness, can be converted into a fuel that can be burned to release energy.

In recent times, scientists have been looking for a substance that does not rely on crude oil as the source, aiming for a replacement based on plant matter which is more environmentally friendly. And it seems that this wish has come true. The researchers have discovered a process for turning fructose into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). This is a liquid fuel which has as much energy as petrol, and 40% more than ethanol.

Ethanol is currently the only renewable liquid fuel which is produced in large quantities. However, it has it’s drawbacks - ethanol has quite a low energy density, evaporates easily and can be be contaminated if it absorbs water from the atmosphere. It is also quite energy intensive to produce as requires a distillation process to separate the water out from the fuel.

DMF is a good alternative because it has a higher energy content, does not absorb water and is less volatile - an important factor in storage considerations.

DMF is not ready for commerical production quite yet however it could be a fuel for the future that stops our dependence on petroleum.

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