Utilization of banana waste as a resource material for biofuels and other value-added products

Banana is one of the most important food crops which is generally planted in tropical countries and has beneficial applications in the food industry. A large amount of by-products such as leaves, inflorescence, pseudostem, and rhizomes serves as a source for different industries. Most of these by-products may serve as an undervalued commodity with a limited commercial value, application and in some cases, it is considered as an agricultural waste. This also paves the way to utilize a huge amount of untapped biomass and resolve some of the environmental issues. Most of the edible bananas are cultivated mainly for their fruits, thus, banana farms could generate several tons of underused by-products and wastes. The present review mainly discusses the utilization of banana by-products such as peels, leaves, pseudostem, pseudostem juice, stalk, and inflorescence in various industries as a thickening agent, alternative source for renewable energy, nutraceuticals, livestock feed, natural fibers, coloring agents, bioactive compounds, and bio-fertilizers. Banana waste serves as a potential source for the production of valuable products and preserves renewable resources and provides additional income to the farming industries.