GLOBAL - The discovery of three enzymes could make it easier to convert crops into eco-friendly sustainable biofuels.

Energy released from a usable form of biomass could be enhanced by using the new chemicals to increase fermentable sugar stores in plants, according to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The three enzymes are responsible for the production of all detectable levels of a type of sugar called glucomannan.

However, the researchers also found that changes in glucomannan levels have a detrimental effect on seed development.

Lead researcher Dr Paul Dupree explained: "This could be very beneficial for the production of bioenergy crops where higher proportions of enzyme-accessible fermentable sugars, such as those in glucomannan, could lead to higher yields of fuel.

"Achieving higher fuel yields from crops will increase the likelihood of sustainable and economic biofuels displacing fossil fuels."

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit also suggested that the planting of biofuel crops could be having a negative impact on other crops in the country.