Resource recovery from fish waste: Prospects and the usage of intensified extraction technologies

Globally, the valorization of fish biowaste as a feedstock to recover valuable components is an emerging research and commercial interest area to achieve the SDG goals by 2030. Fish waste-derived biomolecules are increasingly finding diverse applications in food and other biotechnological fields due to their excellent chemical, structural and functional properties. The focus of this review is to highlight the conventional valorization routes and recent advancements in extraction technologies for resource recovery applications, primarily focusing on green processes. Biointensified processes involving ultrasound, microwave, sub- and supercritical fluids, pulsed electric field, high-pressure processing, and cold plasma are extensively explored as sustainable technologies for valorizing fish discards and found numerous applications in the production of functional and commercially important biomaterials. With challenges in recovering intracellular bioactive compounds, selectivity, and energy requirement concerns, conventional approaches are being relooked continuously in the quest for process intensification and sustainable production practices. Nonetheless, in the context of ‘zero waste’ and ‘biorefinery for high-value compounds’, there is immense scope for technological upgradation in these emerging alternative approaches. This work details such attempts, providing insights into the immense untapped potential in this sector. [Display omitted] •Fish waste valorization is crucial for implementing SDG 2030 goals “zero discards”.•Biointensification opens economically viable routes for low-value fish wastage.•Intensified bioprocesses hold high potential on the circular economy of fish waste.•Potentialities of intensified processes for fish waste biorefinery are reviewed.•Environmental impacts of the fish waste valorization process.