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Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
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Waste-to-nutrition: a review of current and emerging conversion pathways
U Javourez1, M O'Donohue1, L Hamelin1
1TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France.
Biotechnology Advances
|October 26, 2021
Summary
This study reviews over 950 records on converting residual biomass into edible ingredients, identifying 10 feedstock categories and 8 conversion pathways. It proposes a framework to systematize waste-to-nutrition processes for sustainable food systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomass valorization and sustainable food systems.
- Circular economy principles in resource management.
- Waste-to-nutrition conversion technologies.
Background:
- Residual biomass is a key feedstock for circular economies, offering alternatives to fossil fuels.
- Converting biomass into nutritional products is crucial for decoupling food production from arable land.
- Over 150 different feedstocks are categorized for waste-to-nutrition pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of technical possibilities for converting residual biomass into edible ingredients.
- To systematize waste-to-nutrition conversion pathways and assess feedstock suitability.
- To support future research in waste recovery and valorization within food systems.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of over 950 scientific and industrial records.
- Categorization of 10 umbrella feedstock groups and 150+ individual feedstocks.
- Development of four generic building blocks (enhancement, cracking, extraction, bioconversion) and a multidimensional suitability representation.
Main Results:
- Identified and described existing and emerging waste-to-nutrition pathways.
- Proposed four generic building blocks to systematize conversion sequences.
- Introduced a multidimensional representation for biomass suitability based on anti-nutrients, structural complexity, and nutrient content.
- Grouped pathways into eight distinct families of approaches.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework aids in understanding and advancing waste-to-nutrition conversion.
- Highlights the potential of residual biomass as a sustainable source for food ingredients.
- Encourages cascading use of resources and innovation in food system waste valorization.
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