A review on pigmented food waste induced biohydrogen production: current status and challenges

Abstract

Abstract: Food waste (FW) is considered as one of highest contributing solid waste and have significant role in environmental pollution. Among various clean fuel option, hydrogen (H2) is the most prominent choice as economic biofuels which can be potentially produced by organic waste like FW. High production rate and yield, utilization of versatile organic substrates and non-polluting byproduct generation in form of water vapors and carbon di-oxide (CO2) are the unique features of hydrogen as fuel. Various H2 production route includes direct and indirect biophotolysis, photo-fermentation, as well as dark fermentation, all are generated using FW. Biological route of hydrogen production using organic waste through microbial fermentation is the most ecofriendly, economical and green route. Additionally, in all existing H2 producing routes, dark fermentation mode of H2 production is more practical, fast and sustainable among all methods. As FW has high carbohydrate content and fast biodegradability when compare to other organic waste, chances of high H2 production rate and yield is generally higher. Nevertheless, various other essential parameters like pretreatment and bioprocessing of food waste to biohydrogen production is need to be optimized to make the process more economical and sustainable. Additionally, engineering aspects are also required in the area of bioprocessing and microbial scale for the improving the productivity of the overall process. The all aspects have been covered and discussed in depth in this review based on the current ongoing research and existing challenges. Additionally, the sustainable future prospects and its feasibility is also suggested in detail. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.