Transformation of Cassava Wastes into Useful Products

The production of food for the ever-growing population and raw materials for industries has led to the escalation of agricultural activities and subsequent generation of waste. Cassava, a tuberous edible root vegetable originally from South America, has become one of the most consumed food items in the world and a major raw material for industries. Processing of cassava for household consumption and industrial applications generates huge waste in solid and liquid forms. Inappropriate disposal and management of these wastes provide breeding grounds for pests and rodents, ooze offensive odors, and constitute sanitary and environmental hazards. This chapter discusses avenues for the transformation of cassava peels, cassava wastewater, and other cassava wastes into biofuels, biochar, bioadsorbents, animal feeds, biodegradable packaging materials, and other useful products. Steps in cassava processing, waste generation and characterization, and major conversion technologies for cassava wastes as well as the implications, challenges, and prospects of cassava waste conversion into useful products are highlighted. More multidisciplinary studies are needed to develop cassava variants with less acidity and toxicity content to expand the conversion and utilization opportunities in cassava waste.