Agro-Industrial Waste Management: The Circular and Bioeconomic Perspective

Abstract

Traditional agricultural production is circular. Virtually no waste is produced. Residues are returned to soil as compost; used as bedding material in livestock husbandry (and returned to soil as compost) or as feed to produce animal protein and manure; utilized as construction materials; or fuel for domestic energy. Circular agricultural production ensures soil conservation, waste reduction, residues reuse, and recycling. The ever rising global population, and demand for food and agro-industrial products, necessitated a transition to linear agricultural production which generates enormous quantities of agricultural residues, agro-industrial, and food wastes. The economic losses, environmental degradation, and health hazards resulting from poor management of excess wastes, and their mitigation have been the subject of research and policy efforts at continental and regional levels. Current waste management models redirect attention to circular agricultural production and bioeconomic approaches aimed at waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Such approaches view agricultural wastes as raw materials with economic benefits for the farmer, consumer, and investor in varied industrial enterprises (crop and animal production, animal and human health, food, beverage, neutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and material industries). The present review attempts to collate information on global production, and possible valorization of recyclable agro-industrial residues and food wastes.

Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom: A Promising Feed Supplement in Poultry Farming

“…Nevertheless, with proper handling and recycling of these by-products, they can contribute to fostering sustainable development [27]. Achieving a substantial reduction in waste generation, as well as effective reuse and recycling of waste, depends on the implementation of circular agricultural production and appropriate waste management models [26,28]. In striving for a "zero-waste economy", where the repurposing of waste materials is a priority, the essential reutilization of lignocellulosic residues becomes crucial, addressing both environmental and economic considerations [3].…”

Exploring the Future of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Composites with Organic Fillers: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities

“…Food waste 931 Bio-gas [35] Animal waste 1400 Fertilizers, bio-energy [36] Agriculture waste 2500 Recycling materials [37] Municipal waste 2240 Energy resource [38] Industrial waste 84.5 Coal Combustion products [39] Sewage waste 10.4 Fertilizer, soil improver [40] Forest residue 4600 Bio-fuel production [41] Paper waste 67.4 Newspapers, towels [42] Wastewater 0.264-0.600 Treated wastewater [43] Lignocellulosic waste 2009 Animal feed [44] Biodegradable polymer research highlights the under-exploited potential of organic waste by turning to renewable resources and developing biodegradable aliphatic polymers. Additionally, research has demonstrated that it is possible to use organic waste to create valuable biomaterials, providing an opportunity to replace current waste management technologies with more environmentally friendly ones [45].…”

Understanding Pathways, Substrates, and Media Optimization to Maximize Microbial Biosurfactant Production

“…These pathways are elucidated as follows: 1) Synthesis of both carbohydrates and lipids: In this pathway, precursor molecules for biosurfactant synthesis are derived from both carbohydrate and lipid sources. The microbial metabolism simultaneously activates pathways for carbohydrate and lipid synthesis, leading to the production of biosurfactants containing both components [8,9]. 2) Synthesis of carbohydrates with carbon source chain length-dependent lipid synthesis: Here, carbohydrates serve as the primary carbon source, while lipid synthesis depends on the length of the carbon substrate's chain present in the medium.…”

“…One more waste product that could be used to produce biosurfactants is banana peels. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been utilised to generate rhamnolipids from peels of carrot, lime, and orange varieties [47,48,49,50,51,52].  Lignocellulosic wastes: The potential of lignocellulose, a plentiful supply of organic carbon, in the synthesis of biosurfactants has been investigated.…”