Platform chemicals from food and agro-industrial wastes

Abstract

The food and agro-industrial industries generate significant waste that is discharged into the environment. Taking advantage of food and agro-industrial wastes offers efficient solutions, and transforming these wastes adds value. This chapter aims to explore the possibility of transforming food and agro-industrial waste into valuable chemicals. Initially, the chapter classifies waste streams based on their origins and composition. It highlights elements that impact waste generation, such as farming methods, processing inefficiencies, and insufficient storage and transportation infrastructure. Secondly, this chapter provides the concepts of chemical platforms for gaining value-added products, including volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and value-added chemicals from glucose products. Next, case studies present the useful chemicals extracted from waste, such as hydroxymethylfurfural, lactic acid, succinic acid, and VFAs, through fermentation, hydrothermal conversion, and enzymatic hydrolysis. Moreover, the limitations associated with the value of chemicals derived from waste in the process are presented. It defines the necessary conditions for implementing techniques for extracting platform chemicals in the years to come. The conversion of food and agro-industrial waste into platform chemicals presents a promising solution for achieving sustainable development goals. Overall, the chapter presents the need to utilize food and agro-industrial wastes to generate valuable chemicals.