Banana peel waste valorization for a circular bioeconomy: A global analysis

The global transition toward a regenerative circular bioeconomy has catalyzed the transformation of banana peel waste (BPW) from an environmental liability into a high-performance precursor for advanced industrial applications. This systematic review synthesizes high-impact research from 2020 through early 2026, evaluating the technical evolution of BPW-derived materials across energy, environmental, and biomedical sectors. A critical analysis of the current scholarly landscape reveals that specialized thermochemical and biochemical modifications can produce functionalized carbons with ultra-high specific surface areas and hierarchical porous frameworks. These unique structural attributes facilitate exceptional remediation kinetics for emerging pharmaceutical contaminants, achieving rapid and complete sequestration. In the electrochemical domain, banana-derived electrodes demonstrate robust charge storage capabilities, characterized by elevated specific capacitances, high energy densities, and extended long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, material science innovations have yielded sustainable biocomposites that feature substantial enhancements in mechanical strength, facilitating a meaningful shelf-life extension for perishable goods while maintaining rapid, high-efficiency biodegradability. From a biotechnological perspective, multi-modal BPW biorefinery systems support the high-purity recovery of volatile metabolites and superior biohydrogen yields. The integration of advanced computational models, characterized by high predictive accuracy and robust correlation metrics, further underscores the scalability and optimization potential of these pathways. By bridging the gap between bench-scale successes and systemic engineering requirements, this study provides a strategic roadmap for the pilot-scale integration and standardization of banana-integrated solutions within a zero-waste industrial framework.