Abstract
Value addition of cassava and cassava wastes is necessitated by rapid post-harvest spoilage, deterioration, low protein content and environmental pollution caused by the effluent and the other associated wastes that poses aesthetic nuisance. Biogas plants of all sizes and varying levels of technical sophistication not only recover the energy contained in cassava wastes but also eliminate most of the animal and human health problems associated with contamination. Studies have shown the technical feasibility and nutritional desirability of converting carbohydrates and their residues into products containing a large amount of protein by means of microorganisms. Wastes transformation offers the possibility of creating marketable value-added products. There exists a great potential in the use of microorganisms such as fungi for the production of high quality feedstuffs from the abundantly available agro-industrial wastes, particularly carbohydrate residues. Cassava wastes can be processed and converted into value-added components such as methane (biogas), pig meat, ethanol, surfactant and fertilizer etc. Attention is now focused on the by-products of the anaerobic decomposition of the waste that takes place in a biodigester, which are the liquid fraction called biol and the solid fraction or biosol, which are excellent fertilizers for a variety of crops. The present review addresses the progress that has been made in each of these aspects with emphasis on the advantages of biol and biosol fertilizers. Key words: Carbohydrate residue, waste transformation, biofertilizers.
Highlights
Cassava processing is generally considered to contribute significantly to environmental pollution and aesthetic nuisance
Value addition of cassava and cassava wastes is necessitated by rapid post-harvest spoilage, deterioration, low protein content and environmental pollution caused by the effluent and the other associated wastes that poses aesthetic nuisance
There exists a great potential in the use of microorganisms such as fungi for the production of high quality feedstuffs from the abundantly available agro-industrial wastes, carbohydrate residues
Summary
Cassava processing is generally considered to contribute significantly to environmental pollution and aesthetic nuisance. In the processing of cassava fermented products, the roots are normally peeled to rid them of two outer coverings: a thin brown outer covering, and a thicker leathery parenchymatous inner covering. These peels are regarded as wastes and are usually discarded and allowed to rot. Vegetation and soil around the heaps of cassava peels are rendered unproductive and devastated due to biological and chemical reactions taking place between the continuously fermenting peels, soil and the surrounding vegetation Since these peels could make up to 10% of the wet weight of the roots, they constitute an important potential resource if properly harnessed biotechnologically (Obadina et al, 2006). The production of biogas (Larceda, 1991; Fernandes, 1989; Fernandes, 1995; Barana, 1996; Barana, 2000), singlecell oil (Wosiacki et al, 1994), microbial protein (Menezes, 1994) and recently, aromas (Damasceno, 1998) can be sited as examples of its use
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