Fruit waste streams in South Africa and their potential role in developing a bio-economy

Nuraan Khan; Marilize le Roes-Hill; Pamela J. Welz; Kerry A. Grandin; Tukayi Kudanga; J. Susan van Dyk; Colin Ohlhoff; W.H. (Emile) van Zyl; Brett I. Pletschke

doi:10.17159/sajs.2015/20140189

Authors

Nuraan Khan Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
Marilize le Roes-Hill Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
Pamela J. Welz Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
Kerry A. Grandin Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
Tukayi Kudanga Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
J. Susan van Dyk Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Colin Ohlhoff Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa
W.H. (Emile) van Zyl Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Brett I. Pletschke Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2015/20140189

Keywords:

bio-economy, bio-energy; fruit waste, value-added products, wastewaters

Abstract

Current and previous studies on bio-based (fruit) wastes and wastewaters, with a particular emphasis on research in South Africa, were reviewed. Previous studies have focused predominantly on the beneficiation and application of fruit waste as a feedstock for renewable energy. A definite gap in knowledge and application of fruit waste streams with regard to enzyme production as a value-added product is identified. The characteristics and composition of each type of fruit waste are highlighted and their potential as feedstocks in the production of value-added products is identified. The conversion of agri-industrial wastewaters to bioenergy and value-added products is discussed, with special mention of the newly published South African Bio-Economy Strategy, and the potential production of biofuels and enzymes from waste streams using recombinant Aspergillus strains. Finally, to maximise utilisation of waste streams in South Africa and abroad, a conceptual model for an integrated system using different technologies is proposed.