Transforming Agricultural Waste from Mediterranean Fruits into Renewable Materials and Products with a Circular and Digital Approach

Antonella Castagna ¹, Aouatif Aboudia ², Amine Guendouz ³

¹Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
²Bioresources and Food Safety Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Marrakech, Cadi Ayyad University, P.O. Box 549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
³Agrobiotechnology and Bioengineering Center, CNRST-Labeled Research Unit (Agro Biotech-URL-CNRST-05 Center), Faculty of Science and Technology, Cadi Ayyad University, P.O. Box 549, Marrakech 40000, Morocco.
⁴Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
⁵Sustainable Packaging Institute SPI, Faculty of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Anthon-Günther-Straße 51, 72488 Sigmaringen, Germany.
⁶URD Agro-Biotechnologie Industrielles, CEBB, AgroParisTech, 51110 Pomacle, France.
⁷Department of Food Informatics and Computational Science Hub, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
⁸Next Technology Tecnotessile Società Nazionale di Ricerca R.L., 59100 Prato, Italy.
⁹Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia.
¹⁰Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
¹¹Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy.

⁰Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Materials (basel, Switzerland) +

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April 24, 2025

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Summary

Agricultural waste in the Mediterranean is a significant issue. This review explores valorization strategies like extraction and bioconversion to create valuable products and boost the bioeconomy.

Area Of Science

Agricultural Science
Biotechnology
Sustainable Chemistry

Background

The Mediterranean region is a major agricultural producer facing substantial food and plant waste across the supply chain.
Agricultural by-products and waste represent a heterogeneous biomass rich in bioactive compounds and materials.
Valorization of this waste is crucial for developing sustainable bioeconomic initiatives.

Purpose Of The Study

To review and identify key strategies for valorizing agricultural by-products and waste in the Mediterranean.
To evaluate the potential and limitations of different valorization approaches.
To provide a comprehensive perspective supporting new research and bioeconomic development.

Main Methods

Systematic analysis of technical and scientific literature.
Identification and discussion of extraction, composite production, and bioconversion as valorization strategies.
Critical comparison of studies to assess advantages, disadvantages, and efficiency gains, including digitalization.

Main Results

Extraction, composite production, and bioconversion are identified as primary valorization strategies.
Digitalization offers potential efficiency gains in waste valorization processes.
Various applications for valorized agricultural waste in the Mediterranean are discussed.

Conclusions

Agricultural waste valorization holds significant potential for the Mediterranean bioeconomy.
Effective strategies exist, but challenges and limitations require careful consideration.
This review contributes to developing sustainable and innovative solutions for agricultural waste management.

Keywords:

biobased materials biocomposites bioconversion circular economy digitalization extraction insects perishable fruits plant waste residues