Bioproducts From Food Waste

Abstract Increasing volume of food waste (FW) being generated globally is an environmental, social, and economic problem. Conventional methods of treatment of food waste by landfilling, composting, and incineration have been practiced since a long time. However, the generation of greenhouse gases and hazardous leachate, requirement of high energy consumption, and no generation of high-value product by adoption of these technologies pose a greater need for more innovative strategies for FW treatment. The utilization of FW as a nutrient (bio)resource for the production of high-value products is a desirable method. The presence of nutrients remaining in the discarded FW, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate, makes it a valuable feedstock for biobased conversions. Thus in addition to bioenergy production, the conversion of FW into products of high commercial value such as biopolymers, bulk and fine chemicals, enzymes, and surfactants has been attempted. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the biotechnological methods for efficient utilization of FW including various types of FW used, valorization schemes, and useful products formed under different scenarios. An increased understanding of these FW valorization methods with focus on the inherent feedstock differences, their potential uses, and optimization routes for different product types is expected to advance this FW conversion technology in the nearest future to produce a wide variety of biobased products.