Resource recovery and valorization of food wastewater for sustainable development: An overview of current approaches

The food processing industry is one of the world's largest consumers of potable water. Agri-food wastewater systems consume about 70% of the world's fresh water and cause at least 80% of deforestation. Food wastewater is characterized by complex composition, a wide range of pollutants, and fluctuating water quality, which can cause huge environmental pollution problems if discharged directly. In recent years, food wastewater has attracted considerable attention as it is considered to have great prospects for resource recovery and reuse due to its rich residues of nutrients and low levels of harmful substances. This review explored and compared the sources and characteristics of different types of food wastewater and methods of wastewater treatment. Particular attention was paid to the different methods of resource recovery and reuse of food wastewater. The diversity of raw materials in the food industry leads to different compositional characteristics of wastewater, which determine the choice and efficiency of wastewater treatment methods. Physicochemical methods, and biological methods alone or in combination have been used for the efficient treatment of food wastewater. Current approaches for recycling and reuse of food wastewater include culture substrates, agricultural irrigation, and bio-organic fertilizers, recovery of high-value products such as proteins, lipids, biopolymers, and bioenergy to alleviate the energy crisis. Food wastewater is a promising substrate for resource recovery and reuse, and its valorization meets the current international policy requirements regarding food waste and environment protection, follows the development trend of the food industry, and is also conducive to energy conservation, emission reduction, and economic development. However, more innovative biotechnologies are necessary to advance the effectiveness of food wastewater treatment and the extent of resource recovery and valorization. •The food industry generates a large amount of useable wastewater.•Food wastewater is a promising substrate for resourcefulness.•The reuse of food wastewater satisfies current international forms and policies.•More innovative biotechnology is still needed for the valorization of food wastewater.