Ms. Shilpa Sunariwal will present her APS as per the details below:

Date: 28th Feb. 2025

Time: 1500 - 1600 hrs. 

Venue: Conference Room No.1, C-TARA Office

Title: Valorization of Tomato Waste: A Sustainable Biorefinery Approach

Guide: Prof Amit Arora

RPC Members: Prof. Yogendra Shastri, Prof Parameshwer Udmale

Abstract:

In 2023–24, India was the second-largest horticulture producer, with a production of 353.19 million tons, which accounted for 21.18 million metric tons, contributing 11% to global tomato production. Approximately 6% of tomatoes are processed by industries to create various tomato-based products, resulting in the generation of tomato pomace as a byproduct. Despite its potential applications in bio-composting and animal feed, the high moisture and nitrogen content of tomato pomace presents significant challenges to its utilization. Improper disposal of this tomato waste raises environmental and economic concerns, highlighting the need for effective waste management strategies. To address these challenges, valorizing tomato waste is essential to unlocking its potential in the packaging, food, and nutraceutical industries. This study aims to convert by-products from tomato processing—such as peels, seeds, and pomace—into high-value components like lycopene, polyphenols, and cutin. The limited literature on biorefineries specifically targeting tomato waste underscores the novelty of this research area. The research will incorporate life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to evaluate tomato biorefineries' environmental and economic viability. The overarching goal emphasizes a "zero waste" approach, promoting a circular economy that maximizes resource efficiency while minimizing waste.