Utilization of Vegetable Wastes for Bioenergy Generation

Abstract

Vegetable wastes occur throughout the supply chain and vary widely depending on its processing. Globally, more than 30 % of the loss occurs at the retail and consumer levels, of which the post-harvest and processing level wastages account for the major share. The wastes so generated pose an environmental threat and call for the development of a pollution-free model. Studies on the characterization of unutilized, rotten, and discarded fractions of the vegetable wastes indicate their potential candidature for reprocessing. Generation of renewable energy by bioconversion of vegetable wastes is gaining importance as it has proved to be a proficient means of utilizing the perishable vegetable residues. Researchers and industries are now fully engaged in a number of projects involving the technology of "waste to fuel" with a view to overcome the disposal problems. The present article deals with the studies conducted on vegetable wastes for production of various types of biofuel. © 2012 NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Sciences).