Banana Peel Waste as A Renewable Source of Valuable Phenolic Compounds: Bioconversion, Green Processing, Kinetics and Potential Applications: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1021-6219Keywords:
Banana Peel, Phenolic Compounds, Vanillin, Green Chemistry, Kinetics, Agro-Industrial WasteAbstract
Banana peel is an abundant agro-industrial residue generated during domestic consumption, food processing and commercial handling. Although commonly treated as waste, banana peel contains carbohydrates, dietary fibre, minerals, phenolic acids, flavonoids and other antioxidant compounds. The phenolic fraction makes banana peel a potential renewable feedstock for the recovery and production of higher-value chemicals. Hydroxycinnamic acids, particularly ferulic acid, can serve as precursors for the production of aromatic compounds such as vanillin. This review examines the chemical composition of banana peel, the occurrence and recovery of phenolic compounds, physical and chemical pretreatment methods, solvent and assisted extraction, alkaline hydrolysis, microbial and enzymatic bioconversion, factors affecting conversion, kinetic considerations, green chemistry principles, antimicrobial and antifungal potential, and possible applications of banana peel-derived products. Particular attention is given to the conversion of plant-derived aromatic compounds through microbial and enzymatic pathways and to the kinetic principles that can be applied in evaluating such processes. The review also discusses the challenges associated with substrate variability, pretreatment, inhibitor formation, product recovery and process scale-up. Future research should focus on integrated biorefinery approaches that combine selective extraction, hydrolysis, biological conversion and efficient product recovery to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of banana peel valorisation.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Patricia Ese Umoru, Kabiru Adamu, Jamila Yakassia, Ahmad Junaid, Judean Rabo
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