Straw-powered cars could be a thing of the future thanks to new research from the University of East Anglia.

A new study pinpoints five strains of yeast capable of turning agricultural by-products, such as straw, sawdust and corncobs, into bioethanol - a well-known alcohol-based biofuel.

It is estimated that more than 400 billion litres of bioethanol could be produced each year from crop wastage.

The research team say that their findings could help to create biofuel which is more environmentally friendly and ethically sound than other sources because it would make use of waste products.

Processes to generate bioethanol from straw and other by-products are currently complex and inefficient.

Lead researcher Dr Tom Clarke, from UEA's School of Biological Sciences, said: 'Dwindling oil reserves and the need to develop motor fuels with a smaller carbon footprint has led to the explosion of research into sustainable fuels.

'Bioethanol is a very attractive biofuel as it mixes well with petrol and can be used in lower concentration blends in vehicles with no modifications.

'Breaking down agricultural waste has previously been difficult because many strains of yeast necessary for fermentation are inhibited by compounds in the straw. Their toxic effects lead to reduced ethanol production.'

The research team investigated more than 70 strains of yeast to find the most tolerant. They found five strains which were resistant to the toxic compound furfural, and which produced the highest ethanol yield.

The research was carried out in collaboration with the city-based Institute of Food Research and the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, which is based at the IFR.