Sustainable transformation of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) waste into food products, biofuels, environmental applications

IF 7 2区生物学 Q1 AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Biomass & Bioenergy Pub Date : 2026-08-01 Epub Date: 2026-03-03 DOI:10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109212

Thuan Van Tran

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) waste types, including peels, seeds, seed shells, fibrous strands, oilseed cake, leaves, stems, and pulp represent a substantial and underutilized resource. This review comprehensively examines the chemical composition and potential use of pumpkin waste. Pumpkin waste is rich in bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, phenolic compounds, dietary fiber, and proteins for enhancing the nutritional quality of food products. Notably, the seeds yield cold-pressed oil abundant in bioactive compounds, suitable for food fortification and cosmetics. Furthermore, biochars derived from pumpkin waste showed remarkable efficiencies for removal of Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions. The conversion of pumpkin waste into biofuels presented a promising valorization route; and enzymatic hydrolysis of pumpkin peel promoted bioethanol production with high yields. Anaerobic digestion of pumpkin pulp and peel also yielded the effective production of biogases. Thus, the sustainable transformation of pumpkin waste can contribute to a circular economy, addressing global issues related to food waste, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental pollution.

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南瓜（Cucurbita sp.）废物可持续转化为食品，生物燃料，环境应用

南瓜（Cucurbita sp.）的废物类型，包括果皮、种子、籽壳、纤维股、油籽饼、叶子、茎和果肉，是一种大量但未充分利用的资源。本文综述了南瓜废弃物的化学成分及其潜在利用价值。南瓜废料富含生物活性化合物，包括类胡萝卜素、酚类化合物、膳食纤维和蛋白质，可提高食品的营养质量。值得注意的是，种子产生的冷榨油富含生物活性化合物，适用于食品强化和化妆品。此外，从南瓜渣中提取的生物炭对Pb2+和Ni2+离子的去除效果显著。将南瓜废料转化为生物燃料是一条很有前途的增值途径；南瓜皮的酶解促进了生物乙醇的高产出。对南瓜果肉和果皮进行厌氧消化也能有效地产生沼气。因此，南瓜废料的可持续转化可以促进循环经济，解决与食物浪费、营养缺乏和环境污染有关的全球问题。

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来源期刊

Biomass & Bioenergy 工程技术-能源与燃料

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

3.30%

发文量

258

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Biomass & Bioenergy is an international journal publishing original research papers and short communications, review articles and case studies on biological resources, chemical and biological processes, and biomass products for new renewable sources of energy and materials. The scope of the journal extends to the environmental, management and economic aspects of biomass and bioenergy. Key areas covered by the journal: • Biomass: sources, energy crop production processes, genetic improvements, composition. Please note that research on these biomass subjects must be linked directly to bioenergy generation. • Biological Residues: residues/rests from agricultural production, forestry and plantations (palm, sugar etc), processing industries, and municipal sources (MSW). Papers on the use of biomass residues through innovative processes/technological novelty and/or consideration of feedstock/system sustainability (or unsustainability) are welcomed. However waste treatment processes and pollution control or mitigation which are only tangentially related to bioenergy are not in the scope of the journal, as they are more suited to publications in the environmental arena. Papers that describe conventional waste streams (ie well described in existing literature) that do not empirically address ''new'' added value from the process are not suitable for submission to the journal. • Bioenergy Processes: fermentations, thermochemical conversions, liquid and gaseous fuels, and petrochemical substitutes • Bioenergy Utilization: direct combustion, gasification, electricity production, chemical processes, and by-product remediation • Biomass and the Environment: carbon cycle, the net energy efficiency of bioenergy systems, assessment of sustainability, and biodiversity issues.