From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking the Potential of Cellulase Characteristics for Food Processing Waste Management

A surge in environmental pollution compels society to utilize food processing wastes to produce valuable compounds. Enzymatic technology, specifically cellulase-mediated hydrolysis, provides an eco-friendly and effective approach for treating food processing leftovers. The main objective of this review is to explore the significant contributions of cellulase, both in industrial settings and from an environmental perspective. Therefore, this review covers all the aspects of cellulase structural identification, classification, and evolution to its profound applications. The review initially explores cellulases' structural and functional characteristics based on the catalytic and cellulose-binding domains and discusses cellulases' evolutionary origin. A thorough understanding of cellulase properties is essential for overcoming the challenges associated with its commercial production for various applications. In this regard, the optimization for cellulase production through several approaches, including rational design, direct evolution, genetic engineering, and fermentation technology, is also reviewed. In addition, it also underscores the significance of agro-industrial biorefineries, which provide scalable and sustainable solutions to meet future demands for food, chemicals, materials, and fuels. Finally, the last sections of the review solely highlight the potential applications of microbial cellulases in bioremediation. In summary, this review outlines the role of cellulase in efficient valorization aimed at producing multiple bioproducts and the enhancement of environmental remediation efforts.