Prospective for Biorefineries Development from Roots, Tubers, and Bulb Crop Wastes and By-Products: Value Addition and Circular Economy

Roots, tubers, and bulb crops are primarily used for human consumption and, to a lesser extent in the food, starch, pharmaceutical, and animal feed industrial sectors. During the processing of these crops, a lot of waste in the forms of peels, skin, pulp, and bagasse is generated. For sustainable industrial processes focused on waste valorization, critical aspects such as (1) the technical feasibility of the process at the industrial level, (2) techno-economic analysis of the process and products, (3) life-cycle analysis of benefits: cost factors and (4) socio-economic impacts and well-being need to be considered. Most studies reviewed on the roots and tuber crop waste valorizations are limited to lab-scale studies and only a few at pilot-scale levels. Further, research and technical know-how are necessary to assist up-scale performance, feedstock security, and economic and environmental aspects of root and tuber crops’ waste valorization processes.