Japanese firm produces bioethanol from udon noodles

A local udon noodle company in Japan has found something to do with its discarded noodles, thanks to the Kagawa prefectural government and Chiyoda Manufacturing Co. based in Takamatsu. The noodle company was incinerating more than 1,500 tons of frozen noodles each year that were damaged in the manufacturing process. An innovative design in equipment developed by the Chiyoda has created a process to produce bioethanol from the frozen noodles. The company recently produced 10 grams of 100% density ethanol from 100 grams of frozen udon. The process involves mixing the noodles with enzymes to melt them before adding yeast, to create fermentation and distillation. Chiyoda has plans to market the innovative equipment. (March 9, 2011)