The anaerobic digestion process of biogas production from food waste: Prospects and constraints

The unrestrained release of huge quantities of food waste (FW) has become a significant concern because it causes intensive environmental pollution. However, FW is a proper substrate that can be treated by anaerobic digestion (AD) due to its excellent biodegradability and high-water content. Studies have demonstrated that the AD process of turning FW into biogas is an effective solution for FW treatment. This manuscript reviews the characteristics of FW, the biological process and biochemical reaction involved in the AD process, various operational parameters and classification of the AD process, and the co-digestion and pre-treatment of the AD process for biogas production. Both co-digestion and pre-treatment processes could improve the FW hydrolysis rate and methane production. However, further improvement of this technology is required to assess its economic feasibility. Challenges and future perspectives of biogas production from FW are also discussed to improve the performance of AD technology. •Anaerobic digestion process of turning FW into biogas is effective for FW treatment.•Hydrolysis is the most important stage in the anaerobic digestion process.•Both co-digestion and pre-treatment processes could improve methane production.•The two-stage AD process could increase methane production.•Challenges and future perspectives of biogas production from FW are discussed.