Advanced strategies in food and agricultural waste valorisation: integrating nanoengineering, artificial intelligence and smart bioconversion for sustainable resource recovery

This review examines advanced strategies for the sustainable valorisation of food and agricultural waste (FAW) by integrating nanoengineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovative bioconversion platforms. The study aims to address the limitations of conventional waste management systems. It highlights transformative technologies that improve efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. A systematic analysis of recent advancements is presented across three domains. These include nanomaterials from agro-waste for catalytic and functional applications, AI-driven predictive modelling and process control for real-time valorisation, and smart bioconversion using microbial, enzymatic, and insect-based systems. The findings show that nanoengineered materials enhance catalytic selectivity. AI algorithms precisely optimise fermentation and waste-to-value pathways. Smart bioconversion platforms achieve over 40% improvement in biohydrogen yield and more than 65% conversion efficiency in insect-based systems. Integrated frameworks enable multi-product recovery and align with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. Overall, combining nanoengineering, AI, and intelligent bioconversion creates a transformative approach for FAW management. This convergence can advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enabling scalable, decentralised, and resource-efficient waste-to-value systems. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.