Metamorphosis of Culinary By-Product: Journeying Towards an Ecological and Sustainable Tomorrow Through Biodiesel and Bio-Lubricant Production

Waste cooking oil (WCO) is produced when edible vegetable oil is used to fry food items. WCO usage has a detrimental impact on both human and animal health, and improper disposal has a bad impact on the environment by clogging drains and contaminating both land and water sources. The current efforts to convert WCO into biotechnologically useful forms and discuss their potential uses as feedstock for biofuel, bisabolene, bio-lubricants, liquid detergents, dishwashing soap, aromatherapy candles, plasticizers, polyurethane foam, surfactants, and asphalt rejuvenator are covered in this review. There are also details about the global scenario for WCO generation, their physicochemical characteristics, and potential uses for them. These applications guarantee the proper use of WCO as priceless consumer goods and industrial products. More research is required before WCO may be used to produce value products and advance the circular economy.