Food waste used as biomass for the production of biofuels
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Organic biomass represents an eco-friendly source of energy.
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Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates are the main content of food waste.
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Biofuels conversion depends on carbohydrates and transesterification techniques.
Abstract
Global warming, energy crisis due to depletion of fossil fuels and improper management of food waste constitute some of the alarming challenge of the modern world. There is a need for the development of sustainable and clean source of energy which can reduce or replace the use of fossil fuels. Organic biomass represents an eco-friendly source of energy while mitigating the problems caused by improper waste disposal. Food wastes constitute more than half of the municipal solid waste in developing countries which have been generated from pre-consumption and post-consumption. Food wastes were reported to be used as a biomass for the production of biofuel such as bioethanol, biomethane (biogas), biodiesel and other by-products. Therefore, application of food waste for the generation of these non-conventional fuels posed as a feasible substitute for fossil fuels.
