Prospectives for the development of a circular bioeconomy around the banana value chain

Abstract

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed crops globally. However, this industry generates a large amount of residual biomass that is currently undervalued. The disposal of banana residues creates an environmental issue. A circular economy is an economic system characterized by minimizing virgin resources extraction and waste disposal to the environment. The bioeconomy is the production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value-added products. This study has two main aims: (i) to perform a literature review to describe the state-of-the-art regarding the obtention of non-food bioproducts derived from banana residues, and (ii) to propose an envisioned circular bioeconomy around the banana value chain with a focus on closing the loop for material and energy self-sufficiency. This review has made it possible to explore recent advances in the use of residual banana biomass as raw material for obtaining compounds of interest through biologically-based processes and focused on the concept of biorefinery. Likewise, it has been determined that aerobic fermentation is the widely investigated strategy for the production of bioenergy from banana residues, in addition, techno-economic analysis studies indicate that the use of biorefineries are sustainable and economically viable as long as more than one compound of industrial interest is obtained. However, the commitment of stakeholders is crucial to overcome the barriers to a transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. A circular bioeconomy around the banana value chain was depicted, in which the residual banana biomass could cover the energy requirements of primary production at least. Technical feasibility is only one side of the coin; the innovation potential of the system has other barriers associated with economic and cultural issues that must be overcome.