Extraction of valuable components from waste biomass

Abstract

Nature holds a great potential of complex valuable compounds that either are important precursor structures for derivatization in chemistry or pharmacy or are in itself structures or molecule mixtures with bioactivity that are yet too complex for synthetic production. Waste biomass is an additional resource of these structures that has too long been neglected. However, as the aims to build a sustainable fossil-free and bio-based economy from politics are clear, residues and waste from food production and consumption can no longer be overlooked. The production of biomass in addition to food supply would cost too much land and other resources, especially considering climate change effects of and on agriculture. Therefore, cascade approaches and holistic, full-potential use of biomass are in focus. Novel biorefineries should encompass circular and cascadian processes in order to ensure more sustainability. This chapter will focus on the extraction and potentials of high-value chemical compounds that can be directly obtained from residual biomass but also consider associated limitations like natural fluctuations, seasonal dependencies or harmonised extraction methods. Resources like vegetable oils, seafood and livestock remains, algal biomass, lignocellulosic biomass fruit pomace and waste food or water can deliver compounds for use in several high value bioproducts like biopharmaceuticals, bionutrients, biochemicals, biofertilizers, and biomaterials. Many of those are relevant as additives for food production, e.g. dyes, antioxidants, or health-beneficial additives. Another important field of application are biocosmetics or biocleanser where extracted compounds from residual biomass can be used as antioxidants, surfactants, emulsifiers, thickeners, fragrances, collagen analoga and dyes.