About this Research Topic

Background

Food products and beverages generate the most extensive organic waste and by-products, posing significant environmental challenges. Organic waste and by-products from agriculture, the food and beverages industry, and municipal waste production highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Annually, the world produces over two billion tonnes of municipal solid waste and a minimum of 33% of that is not handled in an environmentally safe way. The average daily waste created per person worldwide is 0.74 kg, with a broad range of 0.11 to 4.54 kg (United Nations Environment Programme). Despite comprising just 16% of the global population, high-income nations produce around 34% of the world's waste, equivalent to 683 million tonnes. According to Waste 2.0, by 2050, worldwide waste is projected to increase to 3.40 billion tonnes, surpassing the population growth rate, which is forecast to double over the same timeframe. Regulatory pressures and environmental concerns necessitate innovative approaches to valorize these wastes. Smart technologies combined with the Internet of Things (IoT) or artificial intelligence (AI) tools in monitoring systems for the production of food and beverages or in waste management can promote waste and by-product prevention and valorization. In addition, solid-state fermentation (SSF), submerged fermentation (SmF), hydrolysis, and advanced extraction processes can also reduce the environmental impact produced by waste and by-products.

This Research Topic aims to address the valorization of organic wastes from food, beverages, and other industries by exploring and optimizing innovative processes. The goal is to develop sustainable methods to convert waste into high-value products, thereby improving economic and environmental outcomes. The research will focus on identifying optimal fermentation, chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction conditions, enhancing process efficiency, and assessing the financial feasibility and environmental impact. Integrating these innovative systems will aim to offer practical solutions that reduce waste and promote resource efficiency across industries.

This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, and Perspective Articles from various fields associated with waste, by-product production, and valorization using innovative technologies. Submissions should address process optimization, economic analysis, and real-world applications. Multidisciplinary research integrating biotechnology, environmental science, industrial engineering, and digitalization is welcome. A circular economy model that focuses on innovation and infrastructure in agri-food production, quality, preservation, and by-product valorization is recommended. This may include fermentation processes, bioactive compounds, and sustainable food production. It also promotes by-product valorization and zero food waste.

Themes of interest include but not limited to:
• The identification and characterization of organic waste suitable for SsF, SmF, hydrolysis, and extraction processes;
• The optimization of fermentation, hydrolysis, and extraction conditions to maximize yield and efficiency;
• A comparative analysis of different processes in terms of product quality, economic viability, and environmental impact;
• An exploration of additional innovative processes that can complement fermentation, hydrolysis, and extraction technologies.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Organic waste management, Sustainable food, Food waste, waste solutions, Nutritional impact, waste management, Organic waste upcycling, Food sustainability, food security, nutrient recovery, organic, waste, Organic waste valorization, valorization, Sustainable nutrition, innovation, Beverage waste, bio processing, fermentation, hydrolysis, extraction technology, SsF, SmF

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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