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https://doi.org/10.53941/gefr.2025.100004
Agung Ramandani, A., Rachmadona, N., Munawaroh, H. S. H., Lan, J. C.-W., Kataria, N., & Khoo, K. S. Sustaining Food Waste for Energy Conversion: A Mini Review. Green Energy and Fuel Research. 2025, 2(1), 34–47. doi: https://doi.org/10.53941/gefr.2025.100004
Volume 2, Issue 1, 2025
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Review

Sustaining Food Waste for Energy Conversion: A Mini Review

Adityas Agung Ramandani 1, Nova Rachmadona 2,3, Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh 4, John Chi-Wei Lan 5, Navish Kataria 6 and Kuan Shiong Khoo 1,*

1 Algae Bioseparation Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan

2 Department of Applied Sciences, School of Vocational, Universitas Padjadjaran, West Java, 45363, Indonesia 

3 Research Collaboration Center for Biomass and Biorefinery between BRIN and Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor 45363, West Java, Indonesia

4 Study Program of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science of Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung 40154, West Java, Indonesia

5 Biorefinery and Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan

6 Department of Environmental Sciences, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad 121006, Haryana, India

* Correspondence: kuanshiong.khoo@saturn.yzu.edu.tw or kuanshiong.khoo@hotmail.com

Received: 29 August 2024; Revised: 25 February 2025; Accepted: 25 February 2025; Published: 4 March 2025

Abstract: The escalating global food waste crisis poses significant environmental challenges and resource losses, with approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption wasted each year. This review explores the innovative conversion of food waste into bioenergy by highlighting various technologies such as hydrothermal conversion, gasification coupled with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, bio-electrochemical, and synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. These methods help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste disposal and also provide renewable energy alternatives that can help reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Recent advancements in these technologies have demonstrated improved efficiency, greater feedstock flexibility, and enhanced economic viability, making food waste essential in the pursuit of a circular bioeconomy. This review emphasizes the importance of matching and screening different types of food waste for energy conversion, which is crucial for optimizing resource recovery and maximizing energy output. By examining the latest developments in food waste-to-bioenergy technologies, this review also aims to underscore the potential of food waste as a valuable resource and contribute to sustainable waste management and energy security efforts. The transformative potential of food waste conversion technologies in addressing the pressing global food waste crisis were evaluated. Adopting these methods promotes a circular bioeconomy where waste is valued as a resource, not a burden. The integration of these technologies into existing food waste management systems will be crucial for achieving energy security, mitigating environmental impacts, and promoting sustainable resource utilization. As we face the challenges of food waste, these solutions may represent a critical pathway toward a more sustainable future.

Keywords:

food waste bioenergy advance technologies renewable energy waste-to-bioenergy

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