Strategies for enhancing the efficacy of anaerobic digestion of food industry wastewater: An insight into bioreactor types, challenges, and future scope

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2023-01, Vol.310, p.136856-136856, Article 136856
• Main Authors: Saravanan, A., Senthil Kumar, P., Rangasamy, Gayathri, Hariharan, R., Hemavathy, R.V., Deepika, P.D., Anand, Krithika, Karthika, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion; Enhancement strategies; Food industry wastewater; Reactors; Valuable products
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136856

Food waste have become a growing concern worldwide with raising population and economic growth. Wastewater discharged from food industries contains many valuable and toxic components that have a negative impact on the ecological system. Large amounts of wastewater are discharged from the food industry, which necessitates the creation of effective technologies. Wastewater from the food industry can be seen as a rich source of energy and a primary source for generating valuable products. Waste disposal and resource recovery are sustainably valued by anaerobic digestion of wastewater from the food sector. The characteristics, composition, and nature of wastewater produced from various food sectors are elaborated upon in this review. An overview of the anaerobic digestion process for wastewater treatment in the food industry is included. Enhancement strategies for the anaerobic digestion process have been discussed in detail. In addition, various types of reactors utilized for performing anaerobic digestion is illustrated. Though anaerobic digestion process possesses advantages, the challenges and future scope are examined for improving the outcome. [Display omitted] •Anaerobic digestion plays an important role in waste to energy conversion.•Novel strategies to enhance anaerobic digestion for food wastes are presented.•Different anaerobic reactors for treatment of food industry wastewater are mentioned.•Research gaps, challenges and future exploration viewpoints of anaerobic digestion industry were suggested.