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© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65017-9_20
Waste Valorization of Water Hyacinth
Using Biorefinery Approach: A Sustainable
Route
Priti V. Ganorkar, G. C. Jadeja, Jigisha K. Parikh, and Meghal A. Desai
Abstract The concept of biorefinery can pave way for shifting to the circular economy by developing unified and multipurpose processes that convert biomass or
waste into value-added products. One such waste is water hyacinth, which has the
profound effect on the aquatic life as well as poses a challenge across the world for
its control. It is the proliferative aquatic weed adversely affecting the environment.
However, it has been found that the plant can become a useful source of various
chemicals and fuel if used judiciously. Some important groups of phytochemicals
like organic acids, sterols, phenolic components, etc. are present in roots, stems,
leaves, petioles and flowers of this plant and are known for antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. All these extractives have potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and promoting functional foods. Apart from
phytochemicals, water hyacinth is extensively utilized in making fuel, sorbent, biopolymer, carbon fibre, composites, vermicompost and supercapacitor. The concept
of biorefinery can be implemented in the effective utilization of water hyacinth due
to its potential use in various fields. This review article focuses on various aspects
of utilization of water hyacinth, thereby projecting it as a potential biorefinery
candidate.
Keywords Biogas · Biorefinery · Phytochemicals · Water hyacinth · Waste
valorization
1 Introduction
An ever-increasing demand for food, energy and water is a serious challenge the
world is facing today with the burgeoning human population [1]. The anthropogenic
climatic change is known for several serious effects on the environment. While
actual collection of waste is ~60% in developing countries like India, Pakistan and
P. V. Ganorkar · G. C. Jadeja · J. K. Parikh (*) · M. A. Desai (*)
Chemical Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology,
Surat, Gujarat, India
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
K. K. Pant et al. (eds.), Catalysis for Clean Energy and Environmental
Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65017-9_20
Waste Valorization of Water Hyacinth
Using Biorefinery Approach: A Sustainable
Route
Priti V. Ganorkar, G. C. Jadeja, Jigisha K. Parikh, and Meghal A. Desai
Abstract The concept of biorefinery can pave way for shifting to the circular economy by developing unified and multipurpose processes that convert biomass or
waste into value-added products. One such waste is water hyacinth, which has the
profound effect on the aquatic life as well as poses a challenge across the world for
its control. It is the proliferative aquatic weed adversely affecting the environment.
However, it has been found that the plant can become a useful source of various
chemicals and fuel if used judiciously. Some important groups of phytochemicals
like organic acids, sterols, phenolic components, etc. are present in roots, stems,
leaves, petioles and flowers of this plant and are known for antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. All these extractives have potential applications in food, pharmaceutical and promoting functional foods. Apart from
phytochemicals, water hyacinth is extensively utilized in making fuel, sorbent, biopolymer, carbon fibre, composites, vermicompost and supercapacitor. The concept
of biorefinery can be implemented in the effective utilization of water hyacinth due
to its potential use in various fields. This review article focuses on various aspects
of utilization of water hyacinth, thereby projecting it as a potential biorefinery
candidate.
Keywords Biogas · Biorefinery · Phytochemicals · Water hyacinth · Waste
valorization
1 Introduction
An ever-increasing demand for food, energy and water is a serious challenge the
world is facing today with the burgeoning human population [1]. The anthropogenic
climatic change is known for several serious effects on the environment. While
actual collection of waste is ~60% in developing countries like India, Pakistan and
P. V. Ganorkar · G. C. Jadeja · J. K. Parikh (*) · M. A. Desai (*)
Chemical Engineering Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology,
Surat, Gujarat, India