Feed, Fuel and food Options

Since all parts of the sweetpotato are valuable, growing the Energy Tuber will result in at least 3 products  ​

Fuel

The Fuel is ethanol, easily made from the starch and sugar in the eTuber. This is made through the same methods as corn ethanol.   The eTuber can also be turned into diesel and jet fuel, using emerging biological and chemical methods.

Feed

Feed is unlike the toxic vines on other tuber crops like potato or cassava, the vines from CAREnergy's sweetpotato are quite edible and nutritious and commonly used for animal feed in Asia, the Caribbean and Africa.  In our work with the University of Florida it was shown that the vine from our ENERGY TUBER variety is high in protein and quite digestible. This very drought tolerant crop is an excellent alternative to water-intensive crops for animal feed like alfalfa and corn stover especially in California and countries with limited water resources.​

Food

The Food from the ENERGY TUBER is a high value white protein with an amino acid complement similar to egg protein.  This white, non GMO, tasteless, odorless protein powder can be used like whey or soy protein for sports drinks, baby formula, adult supplements, and other food products. 
   
VALUABLE COMPOUNDS IN VINES​ 
Proteins – up to 50% of DMR –
​human or animal supplement
Nutraceuticals –Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Lutein
Energy – add vines and residual material to anaerobic digester to make methane for farm facility
​and greenhouses 
Organic Fertilizer – after anaerobic digestion

Sweetpotato vines- high protein,
​highly digestible feed for dairy cattle, goats, hogs –water efficient alfalfa alternative for dry climates

VALUABLE COMPOUNDS IN ROOTS 
Proteins – Complete amino acid  complement like egg, high in lysine
Nutraceuticals – Vitamin A, C, purple has antioxidants, anti-tumor 
Compounds that control blood sugar
Thin stillage – anaerobic digestion for methane and minerals for organic fertilizer
Starting materials for adipic acid, isoprenes, biobutanol and drop-in-fuels, etc.
Sweetpotato co-products: