Biotechnological valorization of agrowastes for circular bioeconomy: Melon seed shell, groundnut shell and groundnut peel
V.A. Ajayi, Agbaje Lateef
Abstract
Waste biorefinery concept is gaining attention in converting wastes to industrial products. This is of paramount importance within sustainability paradigm of utilization of resources and contribution to emerging circular bioeconomy and responsible consumption. Among the vast resources that can be up-graded through value-addition are agrowastes that are generated through processing of crops. Agrowastes contain rich compounds, but the presence of complex molecules such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and anti-nutritional compounds that include cyanogenic glycosides, oxalates, phytates and trypsin inhibitors limits their utilization. Thus, they are often disposed in large quantities in the environment in manners that contribute to pollution. However, with increased awareness about detrimental effects of burning and burying of agrowastes, coupled with developments in circular bioeconomy that focus on ‘no waste’ generation mantra, various technologies have been developed to valorize these wastes into useful products. Among such wastes are melon seed shell, groundnut shell and groundnut peel. This review documents valorization of aforementioned agrowastes through various biotechnological routes to create different products. Until now, there is no review on their valorization unlike vast reviews on the utilization of melon and groundnut cakes. The report addresses issues that can ensure better utilization of these wastes for the attainment of some sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, particularly good health and well-being (SDG 3), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and action against climate change (SDG 13).