Chapter 29 - Conversion of waste materials into different by-products of economic value

Abstract

The world is pitching with a massive amount of waste that will soon amount to billions of tons. The management of this waste presents a significant challenge. The circular economy is emerging as a new rational waste management approach in which wastes generated in one process are up-cycled into value-added products. This chapter lists the biotechnological conversion of organic waste materials into various by-products with economic value. Bio-organic fertilizers, enzymes, organic acids, biofuels, biomaterials, polysaccharides, flavors and fragrance, biomass for bioremediation, adsorbent for bioremediation, dietary fiber, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, pH indicator films, pigments, single-cell protein, and natural colorant are all economically valuable products. Bio-organic fertilizers made from organic wastes can be used to support long-term agricultural production. Enzymes secreted by microorganisms during organic waste biodegradation can be harvested and used in a variety of biochemical activities and industries. Organic waste fermentation can yield biofuels such as ethanol, butanol, and hydrogen. The use of biofuels for energy production has the potential to significantly reduce environmental pollution. Through various biotechnological processes, biomaterials such as biopolymers, bio-plastics, and adsorbents for a variety of applications can be synthesized from organic wastes. It can be seen that utilizing waste materials to create products with economic value is both economical and sustainable. It has the potential to create a clean and green environment while also providing economic benefits.