Food Waste, a Good Option for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel is a type of renewable energy source. Researchers have considered it as a substitute for fossil fuel. Combustion of biodiesel generates fewer pollutants such as CO2, CO, particulate matter, except NOx. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are the key components of biodiesel which can be synthesized through transesterification of lipid in the presence of alcohol, base, acid, enzyme or solid catalyst. Traditional biodiesel from rapeseed, palm, sunflower, jatropha and soya bean has been strongly criticized as they require long extension of lands for cultivation. In that context, food waste is better choice for biodiesel production. The reports of FAO of the United Nations say that approximately 1.3 billion tons of food waste is disposed through worldwide. Exponential growth of population will cause a continuous increase of food waste generation in developing countries in Asia. Usually, food waste is disposed in landfills. This is causing world’s mounting food waste disposal problem. This practice of disposing food waste disposal in landfills has harmful effect in human life such as bad odour, air pollution and leaching. Carbon dioxide, methane and other toxic gaseous substances are emitted from landfills. Therefore, food waste can be utilized as non-edible resources for biodiesel production which is a better option for not to use lands limited for food crop. The cost of traditional biodiesel production is relatively high based on high cost of feedstock as well as biodiesel production technologies. This article reviews the aspects of biodiesel production from food waste as well as potential of biodiesel production from food waste.