Extraction of squalene from agro-industrial waste: a sustainable alternative to conventional sources Rasheeda Khanam, Umesh Maskare, Dundigalla Janaki Laxmi Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers Waste and Resource Management, 2026 Improper disposal of agri-food processing wastes, including vegetable peels and dairy residues, poses environmental pollution challenges. This study evaluates the potential of onion peels, garlic peels, and molten butter (ghee) residue – common food processing by-products – as sustainable, non-food sources for squalene extraction. Squalene, a valuable bioactive compound traditionally obtained from shark liver oil and edible plant oils, faces sustainability issues due to its reliance on primary food resources. Using Soxhlet solvent extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, squalene yields of 23.59 ± 0.04, 22.21 ± 0.02, and 10.21 ± 0.02 mg/kg were obtained from garlic peels, ghee residue, and onion peels, respectively. These results demonstrate that food industry waste streams can provide appreciable quantities of squalene, promoting waste valorisation and resource recovery. The study supports the integration of food waste management strategies with biochemical production to reduce environmental impact and conserve primary food materials.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Potential Management Strategies for Valorization of Waste From Fruits and Vegetables Turning Trash Into Treasure Rasheeda Khanam, Umesh Maskare Journal of Food Process Engineering, 2025 ABSTRACT The imperative for sustainable food systems necessitates a paradigm shift towards the efficient utilization and responsible disposal of food by‐products. The inedible portions of fruits and vegetables, often constituting a substantial fraction of overall food waste, present a significant challenge and, simultaneously, a considerable opportunity. Transforming these seemingly valueless residues into value‐added commodities such as animal feed, biofuels, biofertilizers, and bioplastics is not merely a waste management strategy; it represents a crucial step towards minimizing environmental impact, generating novel revenue streams, and fostering a circular economy. Biochemical conversion technologies play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of organic waste for energy and bioproduct generation, directly contributing to greenhouse gas mitigation and the establishment of sustainable energy portfolios. Similarly, the widespread adoption of composting practices transforms organic waste into nutrient‐rich soil amendments, enhancing soil health and diminishing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Beyond these established applications, the extraction of high‐value essential nutrients and bioactive compounds from the by‐products of fruits and vegetables for integration into dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods underscores the latent potential of these inedible fractions as reservoirs of health‐promoting ingredients. Furthermore, the development of biodegradable and edible packaging materials derived from food by‐products addresses the pressing global issue of plastic waste, promoting the utilization of renewable resources within the packaging sector. Realizing the full potential of inedible food parts of fruits and vegetables necessitates a multi‐pronged approach encompassing the implementation of supportive policies that incentivize waste reduction and resource recovery, coupled with comprehensive educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness among both consumers and industries regarding the multifaceted benefits of sustainable food waste management. The application of innovative technologies and sustainable practices is paramount in converting food waste into valuable resources, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and resilient global food system. Future research endeavors should focus on optimizing extraction and conversion technologies, assessing the economic viability of various valorization pathways, and fostering collaborative frameworks among stakeholders to maximize the societal and environmental benefits of this crucial field.
Short Communication Analysis of Antioxidant and Antibiotic Potentiality of the Extract from Molten Butter Residue Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research Series B Biological Sciences, 2023
Strain improvement by induction of mutagenesis for hyper production of pectinase using aspergillustamarii Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 2015
Strain improvement of white rot fungi pycnoporus cinnabarinus with the influence of physical and chemical mutagens for enhancing laccases production Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 2014
Strain improvement of Trametes hirsuta by physical and chemical mutagenesis for better laccases production Journal of Environmental Science Engineering, 2013
Induction of protoplast fusion in Aspergillus sps for enhanced pectinase production International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2012
Laccases production by improved strain of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus in media with improvident International Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2012
Formulation of high laccases production media using ghee residue or peptone as an inducer by Trametes hirsuta International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, 2012
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Extraction of squalene from agro-industrial waste: a sustainable alternative to conventional sources R Khanam, U Maskare, D Janaki Laxmi Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Waste and Resource … , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Utilization of Dairy Industrial Waste for Whey and Whey Protein Production R Khanam Food Waste Valorization and the Circular Economy , 2026 2026
A Comprehensive Analysis of Potential Management Strategies for Valorization of Waste From Fruits and Vegetables Turning Trash Into Treasure. RKU Maskare Journal of Food Process Engineering 48 (7), 1-11 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Analysis of antioxidant and antibiotic potentiality of the extract from molten butter residue R Khanam Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. B: biol. sci. 66 (2), 184-187 , 2023 2023
Short Communication Analysis of Antioxidant and Antibiotic Potentiality of the Extract from Molten Butter Residue: Antibiotic Activity of Molten Butter Residue R Khanam Biological Sciences-PJSIR 66 (2), 184-187 , 2023 2023
Increase in Laccases production by an improved strain of white rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus with an additional improvident in the production medium. R Khanam Research Advances in Microbiology and Biotechnology 2, 104-127 , 2023 2023
Production of Biodegradable Bioplastic from Industrial and Agricultural Waste. R Khanam Current Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences 9, 1-15 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Startling impact of dairy waste extract on pharmaceuticals RG Khanam, R Prasuna Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research 36 (3)), 1140-1149 , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
Comparison of extraction methods and solvents for total phenolics from dairy waste R Khanam, RG Prasuna Asian J. Dairy Food Res 36 (3) , 2017 2017 Citations: 9
Strain improvement by induction of mutagenesis for hyperproduction of pectinase using Aspergillus tamari S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam J Sci Ind Res 74, 151-60 , 2015 2015 Citations: 8
Dye decolourization: laccases by the best fusant strain of Trametes hirsuta . RK Rasheeda Khanam, RG Prasuna, AV Rajasekhar 2014
Strain improvement of white rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus with the influence of physical and chemical mutagens for enhancing Laccases production R Khanam, RG Prasuna J Sci Ind Res 73, 331-337 , 2014 2014 Citations: 9
Induction of Pectinase Hyper Production by Multistep Mutagenesis Using a Fungal Isolate--Aspergillus flavipes. S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam Journal of Environmental Science & Engineering 56 (2), 215-222 , 2014 2014 Citations: 1
DYE DECOLOURIZATION: LACCASES BY THE BEST FUSANT STRAIN OF TRAMETES HIRSUTA R Khanam, RG Prasuna, AV Rajasekhar 2013
Strain improvement of Trametes hirsuta by physical and chemical mutagenesis for better laccases production. R Khanam, RG Prasuna Journal of Environmental Science & Engineering 55 (3), 388-396 , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
Evaluation of total phenolic content in ghee residue: contribution to higher laccase production R Khanam, RG Prasuna, S Akbar Microbiol. J 3, 12-20 , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
Multistep mutagenic strain improvement in Aspergillus Carbonarius to enhance pectinase production potential. S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam 2013 Citations: 14
Dairy Waste ‘Ghee Residue’Influence Laccases Production by Pycnoporus Cinnabarinus and its Optimization. R Khanam, RG Prasuna 2013
Formulation of high laccases production media using ghee residue or peptone as an inducer by Trametes hirsuta . RK Rasheeda Khanam, RG Prasuna 2012
Exploitation of Industrial Waste Ghee Residue in Laccases Production by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus strain SYBC-L14 R Khanam, RG Prasuna, S Akbar Int. J. Plant Anim. Environ. Sci 2, 1-10 , 2012 2012 Citations: 8
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Multistep mutagenic strain improvement in Aspergillus Carbonarius to enhance pectinase production potential. S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam 2013 Citations: 14
Comparison of extraction methods and solvents for total phenolics from dairy waste R Khanam, RG Prasuna Asian J. Dairy Food Res 36 (3) , 2017 2017 Citations: 9
Strain improvement of white rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus with the influence of physical and chemical mutagens for enhancing Laccases production R Khanam, RG Prasuna J Sci Ind Res 73, 331-337 , 2014 2014 Citations: 9
Strain improvement by induction of mutagenesis for hyperproduction of pectinase using Aspergillus tamari S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam J Sci Ind Res 74, 151-60 , 2015 2015 Citations: 8
Exploitation of Industrial Waste Ghee Residue in Laccases Production by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus strain SYBC-L14 R Khanam, RG Prasuna, S Akbar Int. J. Plant Anim. Environ. Sci 2, 1-10 , 2012 2012 Citations: 8
Strain improvement of Trametes hirsuta by physical and chemical mutagenesis for better laccases production. R Khanam, RG Prasuna Journal of Environmental Science & Engineering 55 (3), 388-396 , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
Evaluation of total phenolic content in ghee residue: contribution to higher laccase production R Khanam, RG Prasuna, S Akbar Microbiol. J 3, 12-20 , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
Formulation of high laccases production media using ghee residue or peptone as an inducer by Trametes hirsute R Khanam, R Prasuna Int J Pharma Biosci 3 (2), 273-283 , 2012 2012 Citations: 4
Laccases production by improved strain of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus in media with improvident. R Khanam, G Prasuna, S Akbar 2012 Citations: 3
A Comprehensive Analysis of Potential Management Strategies for Valorization of Waste From Fruits and Vegetables Turning Trash Into Treasure. RKU Maskare Journal of Food Process Engineering 48 (7), 1-11 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Production of Biodegradable Bioplastic from Industrial and Agricultural Waste. R Khanam Current Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences 9, 1-15 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Startling impact of dairy waste extract on pharmaceuticals RG Khanam, R Prasuna Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research 36 (3)), 1140-1149 , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
Extraction of squalene from agro-industrial waste: a sustainable alternative to conventional sources R Khanam, U Maskare, D Janaki Laxmi Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Waste and Resource … , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Induction of Pectinase Hyper Production by Multistep Mutagenesis Using a Fungal Isolate--Aspergillus flavipes. S Akbar, RG Prasuna, R Khanam Journal of Environmental Science & Engineering 56 (2), 215-222 , 2014 2014 Citations: 1
Utilization of Dairy Industrial Waste for Whey and Whey Protein Production R Khanam Food Waste Valorization and the Circular Economy , 2026 2026
Analysis of antioxidant and antibiotic potentiality of the extract from molten butter residue R Khanam Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. B: biol. sci. 66 (2), 184-187 , 2023 2023
Short Communication Analysis of Antioxidant and Antibiotic Potentiality of the Extract from Molten Butter Residue: Antibiotic Activity of Molten Butter Residue R Khanam Biological Sciences-PJSIR 66 (2), 184-187 , 2023 2023
Increase in Laccases production by an improved strain of white rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus with an additional improvident in the production medium. R Khanam Research Advances in Microbiology and Biotechnology 2, 104-127 , 2023 2023
Dye decolourization: laccases by the best fusant strain of Trametes hirsuta . RK Rasheeda Khanam, RG Prasuna, AV Rajasekhar 2014
DYE DECOLOURIZATION: LACCASES BY THE BEST FUSANT STRAIN OF TRAMETES HIRSUTA R Khanam, RG Prasuna, AV Rajasekhar 2013
