Bioconversion of agro-industry sourced biowaste into biomaterials via microbial factories – A viable domain of circular economy

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 271; p. 116311
• Main Authors: Kee, Seng Hon, Chiongson, Justin Brian V., Saludes, Jonel P., Vigneswari, Sevakumaran, Ramakrishna, Seeram, Bhubalan, Kesaven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2021
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials; Biofuels; Biowastes; Circular economy; Fermentation; Industry; Low-carbon economy; Microbial biotechnology; Waste Management; Biowastes; Waste management; Circular economy; Microbial biotechnology; Low-carbon economy
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116311

Global increase in demand for food supply has resulted in surplus generation of wastes. What was once considered wastes, has now become a resource. Studies were carried out on the conversion of biowastes into wealth using methods such as extraction, incineration and microbial intervention. Agro-industry biowastes are promising sources of carbon for microbial fermentation to be transformed into value-added products. In the era of circular economy, the goal is to establish an economic system which aims to eliminate waste and ensure continual use of resources in a close-loop cycle. Biowaste collection is technically and economically practicable, hence it serves as a renewable carbon feedstock. Biowastes are commonly biotransformed into value-added materials such as bioethanol, bioplastics, biofuels, biohydrogen, biobutanol and biogas. This review reveals the recent developments on microbial transformation of biowastes into biotechnologically important products. This approach addresses measures taken globally to valorize waste to achieve low carbon economy. The sustainable use of these renewable resources is a positive approach towards waste management and promoting circular economy. The integration of agro-industrial biowaste and microbial fermentation system towards achieving circular economy. [Display omitted] •The circular economy as the way forward for utilizing biowastes and boosting the country’s economy.•Food wastage contributed approximately 34% of total carbon footprint and has become a global issue as highlighted in SDG 12.•Biotransformation of agro-industry wastes to biomaterials such as surfactant, enzymes, polymers and other organic compounds.