Submission Tilte
Biodegradable Waste Valorization for Recovery of the Bioactive Compounds for a Sustainable Future
Submission Abstract:
The increasing generation of biodegradable waste from agricultural, food processing, municipal, and agro-industrial activities presents significant environmental challenges while simultaneously offering an abundant and underutilized source of valuable bioactive compounds. Effective valorization of these waste streams aligns with the principles of the circular economy by transforming organic residues into high-value products, thereby reducing waste disposal, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable resource utilization.
This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the recovery, characterization, and application of bioactive compounds derived from biodegradable waste, including fruit and vegetable residues, crop by-products, food processing waste, forestry biomass, and other organic resources. Contributions addressing innovative extraction technologies, green solvents, membrane-based separations, enzyme-assisted processes, microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and integrated biorefinery approaches are particularly encouraged. The issue also welcomes studies focusing on the recovery of pectin, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, dietary fibers, essential oils, proteins, polysaccharides, organic acids, pigments, and other high-value biomolecules.
The Special Issue further seeks research on the conversion of biodegradable waste into functional materials such as biochar, activated carbon, biofertilizers, biopolymers, biofuels, bioenergy, and advanced adsorbents, emphasizing sustainable technologies and resource recovery. Applications of recovered bioactive compounds in food, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, environmental remediation, wastewater treatment, and biomedical engineering are also within the scope. Studies involving life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, carbon footprint reduction, process optimization, industrial scalability, policy perspectives, and commercialization strategies are highly encouraged.
By integrating multidisciplinary research spanning environmental science, biotechnology, chemical engineering, materials science, food science, and sustainable manufacturing, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing biodegradable waste valorization technologies. The published contributions will support the transition toward resource-efficient, low-carbon, and circular bioeconomies, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable development while maximizing the recovery and utilization of bioactive compounds from renewable waste resources.