**5. Vinasse and tequila production in Mexico, a case study**

The production of alcohol and alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and tequila generates two main residues in its process, one of them is the solid part called bagasse and a liquid part obtained from the distiller which is known as vinasse [64]. In Mexico, more than 70% of the establishments that produce vinasse come from the production of tequila and mezcal, 20% from beer, and the rest from the production of wines from grapes and other fruits. Due to the denomination of origin of tequila and mezcal, researchers consider as essential the study of the vinasse process, due to the high environmental and economic impacts in Mexico. In recent years, to decrease the high volume of residual vinasses, it has been decided to generate compost from bagasse and vinasse [65], which is given to farmers to use it in their crops; however, the production of compost uses less than 50% of the vinasses, and the rest is discarded without treatment. The tequila production generates high volumes of vinasses on a ratio of 10–12 L for each liter of tequila produced; they have a high organic content that causes damage to ecosystems by anoxia and acidification of water. Biodigestion systems have been developed for the removal of solids [66]. Nevertheless, the treatments are expensive and with a low efficiency, which has not been achieved an industrial implementation.

Due to the physicochemical characteristics of vinasses, these represent a high source of contamination that must be contained and treated to avoid serious damage to ecosystems [67]. Due to the current production volumes of tequila, it is reported that during 2017 more than 271 million liters were produced (https:// www.crt.org.mx/) of which between 2710 and 3252 million liters of vinasse would be obtained [68]. For elaboration of the tequila, two main industrial processes are used to produce the fermentation juice. In the first one, the agave is cooked and squeezed to obtain the juice, and there is a subsequent fermentation process. The most recent and apparently energy efficient is to squeeze the raw agave heart by spraying it with a little hot water for this juice, to be used later in the fermentation process. Vinasse components have been compared between both processes showing significant changes where cooking processes present the highest contents of organic acids compared with spraying with steam [69].

**91**

**Figure 1.**

*Agro-Industrial Waste Revalorization: The Growing Biorefinery*

group of compounds, making this mixture difficult to separate.

It is required to carry out an integral development that allows the correct treatment of each component of the vinasse. Three general stages of separation are proposed using as model the composition of the vinasse previously characterized (**Figure 1**). The first stage is the separation of solids and liquids; the second a separation of water-soluble compounds such as alcohol traces and polar compounds of solids belonging to organic matter generated during fermentation and some other solids from the broth culture as carbohydrates, proteins, and mineral salts, among others; and finally the generation of value-added products, organic compounds, and solids of high organic matter content, which can easily be recycled in the form

Each stage requires the implementation of independent processes, but they will

As mentioned previously, currently in Mexico the treatment of vinasse has been limited mainly due to the fact that there is no solvency or economic technology that companies can implement. Different types of treatment are being used that depend mainly on the size of the company and the total volume of production; **Table 1**

Pretreatments and primary treatments are the most commonly used, as they are economical and simple to implement on any scale. Pretreatments are useful only for acidity reduction but do not eliminate organic load or color. Sedimentation ponds allow the removal of 80% of the sedimentable solids; however, it does not reduce the organic load or fats. The flotation strategy consists of applying air together with

*General process to recovery of compounds from vinasse obtained from distillation processes.*

guarantee the obtaining of water that is easy to use in compliance with current regulations. The feasibility of obtaining compounds of antioxidant capacity of commercial interest derived from vinasse represents an income that costs the entire

We carry out the characterization of the compounds present in the vinasse that leave the distillation process in order to identify the majority of compounds and to propose an adequate purification process that allows to preserve the properties, as well as to avoid their degradation. The components of the vinasse vary between the different fermentation processes, since they depend on the raw materials; the cooking time will give the characteristics of the juices or liqueurs, the fermentation process, and the variables of distillation, so it will be necessary to carry out a characterization study for the vinasse. Since the vinasse has been treated as a residue, no measures are taken to prevent its degradation or contamination. It is important to obtain reliable results, collect fresh vinasse and free of foreign contaminants, and keep it cool, clean, and not exposed light to prevent its degradation. Vinasse is a complex mixture in which organic compounds with very different chemical characteristics are found. In addition, oils and fats that are contained solubilize another

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83569*

of fertilizer for industrial use.

summarizes the strategies used to treat vinasse.

process.

#### *Agro-Industrial Waste Revalorization: The Growing Biorefinery DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83569*

*Biomass for Bioenergy - Recent Trends and Future Challenges*

types of fibers, in which we can mention agave, castor plant, and *J. curcas* fibers [61]. During the tequila production process, large amounts of waste are produced (mostly fiber), and in the case of castor plant and *J. curcas*, only the seeds are used for the extraction of oils, and the rest of plant is discarded. Therefore, an alternative to take advantage of this waste is to use it to develop biocomposites. Zuccarello et al. [62] demonstrated that the agave variety plays an important role on the mechanical performance of the fibers and they proposed an innovative and eco-friendly method for the fiber extraction based on the simple mechanical pressing of the leaves, alternated to proper water immersions avoiding alkaline treatment. They used an eco-friendly green epoxy and a polylactic acid (PLA) to obtain renewable biocomposites. In another work, Zuccarello et al. [62] studied the effect of agave fiber size on epoxy resin and PLA composites. This study showed that biocomposites with short fibers fail to act as a reinforcement, while the long fibers in the compounds with PLA achieve a high mechanical strength. Vinayaka et al. [63] elaborated composites with polypropylene and fibers extracted from the outer layer of *R. communis* (castor plant), which exhibited an elongation at 5% that was higher than the common bast fibers jute and flax, and the strength at 350 MPa was similar to that of jute but lower than that of cotton. Biocomposites have an enormous potential of applications and a growth market especially in automotive industry.

**5. Vinasse and tequila production in Mexico, a case study**

which has not been achieved an industrial implementation.

acids compared with spraying with steam [69].

The production of alcohol and alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and tequila generates two main residues in its process, one of them is the solid part called bagasse and a liquid part obtained from the distiller which is known as vinasse [64]. In Mexico, more than 70% of the establishments that produce vinasse come from the production of tequila and mezcal, 20% from beer, and the rest from the production of wines from grapes and other fruits. Due to the denomination of origin of tequila and mezcal, researchers consider as essential the study of the vinasse process, due to the high environmental and economic impacts in Mexico. In recent years, to decrease the high volume of residual vinasses, it has been decided to generate compost from bagasse and vinasse [65], which is given to farmers to use it in their crops; however, the production of compost uses less than 50% of the vinasses, and the rest is discarded without treatment. The tequila production generates high volumes of vinasses on a ratio of 10–12 L for each liter of tequila produced; they have a high organic content that causes damage to ecosystems by anoxia and acidification of water. Biodigestion systems have been developed for the removal of solids [66]. Nevertheless, the treatments are expensive and with a low efficiency,

Due to the physicochemical characteristics of vinasses, these represent a high

source of contamination that must be contained and treated to avoid serious damage to ecosystems [67]. Due to the current production volumes of tequila, it is reported that during 2017 more than 271 million liters were produced (https:// www.crt.org.mx/) of which between 2710 and 3252 million liters of vinasse would be obtained [68]. For elaboration of the tequila, two main industrial processes are used to produce the fermentation juice. In the first one, the agave is cooked and squeezed to obtain the juice, and there is a subsequent fermentation process. The most recent and apparently energy efficient is to squeeze the raw agave heart by spraying it with a little hot water for this juice, to be used later in the fermentation process. Vinasse components have been compared between both processes showing significant changes where cooking processes present the highest contents of organic

**90**

We carry out the characterization of the compounds present in the vinasse that leave the distillation process in order to identify the majority of compounds and to propose an adequate purification process that allows to preserve the properties, as well as to avoid their degradation. The components of the vinasse vary between the different fermentation processes, since they depend on the raw materials; the cooking time will give the characteristics of the juices or liqueurs, the fermentation process, and the variables of distillation, so it will be necessary to carry out a characterization study for the vinasse. Since the vinasse has been treated as a residue, no measures are taken to prevent its degradation or contamination. It is important to obtain reliable results, collect fresh vinasse and free of foreign contaminants, and keep it cool, clean, and not exposed light to prevent its degradation. Vinasse is a complex mixture in which organic compounds with very different chemical characteristics are found. In addition, oils and fats that are contained solubilize another group of compounds, making this mixture difficult to separate.

It is required to carry out an integral development that allows the correct treatment of each component of the vinasse. Three general stages of separation are proposed using as model the composition of the vinasse previously characterized (**Figure 1**). The first stage is the separation of solids and liquids; the second a separation of water-soluble compounds such as alcohol traces and polar compounds of solids belonging to organic matter generated during fermentation and some other solids from the broth culture as carbohydrates, proteins, and mineral salts, among others; and finally the generation of value-added products, organic compounds, and solids of high organic matter content, which can easily be recycled in the form of fertilizer for industrial use.

Each stage requires the implementation of independent processes, but they will guarantee the obtaining of water that is easy to use in compliance with current regulations. The feasibility of obtaining compounds of antioxidant capacity of commercial interest derived from vinasse represents an income that costs the entire process.

As mentioned previously, currently in Mexico the treatment of vinasse has been limited mainly due to the fact that there is no solvency or economic technology that companies can implement. Different types of treatment are being used that depend mainly on the size of the company and the total volume of production; **Table 1** summarizes the strategies used to treat vinasse.

Pretreatments and primary treatments are the most commonly used, as they are economical and simple to implement on any scale. Pretreatments are useful only for acidity reduction but do not eliminate organic load or color. Sedimentation ponds allow the removal of 80% of the sedimentable solids; however, it does not reduce the organic load or fats. The flotation strategy consists of applying air together with

**Figure 1.**

*General process to recovery of compounds from vinasse obtained from distillation processes.*


#### **Table 1.**

*Treatments actually used for the disposal of vinasse.*

a polymer that allows accelerating the separation of soluble solids, and it is used as preparation for a biological process. The process is useful for the removal of solids, it is not efficient in the chemical demand of oxygen (CDO), and in addition, it is expensive in industrial scales. On the other hand, these strategies represent a focus of soil and subsoil contamination by filtration. The physicochemical treatments are mostly used on a pilot scale and generally used in two stages; in one, a coagulant is added to agglomerate soluble solids and then a flocculant for remotion. It is efficient in 20–30%, and its ability is being studied to remove the color; at the laboratory level, it has achieved a 70% reduction in color and 30% in CDO. Although there are already reports of a 100% removal efficiency using a cationic polymer [70], to date it has not been implemented on an industrial scale. It is estimated that the cost of these processes is 3.8 USD/Kg of vinasse, but the ecological impact of the emission of heavy metals and the reaction of chlorine salts with organic matter increases rather than decreases the level of toxicity. The main coagulants that are currently used in industries have metallic composition, and some environmentally friendly alternatives are being studied, including sugar polymers from some plant species, such as mesquite gum, shrimp chitosan, and some other vegetable gums [71]. Although removal percentages higher than metallic salts have been achieved by these alternatives, the process of obtaining is still expensive and uncommon.

### **6. Market of the bioproducts derived from agro-industrial wastes**

In the last year, exploitation of agricultural waste for development of new products with a commercial value has been investigated. New related sectors have appeared in the global scene with great growth opportunities in the global market. Therefore, the specialized search engine "Web of Science," using the keyword "waste" in conjunction with the descriptive words of each item shows that the sectors with the greatest number of publications are "biocomposites and the peptides with antioxidant activity." Even though at present research in these fields remains small, it has a great potential for growth in the global market (**Figure 2**).

Globally, sectors related with products from agro-industrial residues are growing, and therefore, there is an increase in the publications showing the enormous potential to enter and take a position in the market. If we look at the size of the market for each compound, we can direct and plan new strategies aimed at the

**93**

**Figure 2.**

*Agro-Industrial Waste Revalorization: The Growing Biorefinery*

development of products toward the sectors with the highest economic growth and create the interest of companies looking for innovation in each of the product. The main growing market is in the phytochemicals with the extraction of carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, among others with potential use in the alimentary industry. Valorization of residues can be achieved such as in soybean residues from pressing oil extraction, which are rich in phytochemical compounds [72]. Thus, there is a growing interest in agro-industrial residues as source of high-benefit products potentially useful as valuable constituents, flavors, and antioxidant in food and cosmetics [73]. The market of phytochemicals is becoming more competitive with the entry of pharmaceutical companies as Cargill, Hormel, and Doehler groups, which ensures a growing market. To pharmaceutical industry, bioactive peptides are considered a growing market and represent a potential solution to more efficacious disease treatment. In addition, peptides promise to combine the lower production costs and high specificity. For 2025, the proposed market growth appears to be near to USD \$48.04 billion (**Figure 2**). Current trends indicate that a bright future for bioactive peptides and position them as firm candidates to the growth and innovation in pharmaceutical industry with the participation at this moment of companies as Elly Lilly and Pfizer [74], while the biocomposites are being alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived material becoming increasingly utilized in a great variety of applications [75]. An increased research is reflected in the number of publications that indicates a strong trend for applications of eco-friendly materials. Kenaf fiber has been used to reinforce polyurethane composites improving the mechanical and thermal properties [76]. The global biocomposite market is estimated to grow at USD \$46.30 billion for 2025. The trends indicate that the rising awareness among people by the replacement of plastics with biodegradable and environmentally favorable alternatives allows the market growth [77]. Automotive sector is a rising market; the search for new materials that increase the safety of passengers and reduce the vehicle weight spurs market demand [78]. Biomass pellets are an emerging market with a lot of potential. The European Union was the primary market responsible for the global production and

*Estimated market of new components obtained from waste (USD, billions) [79-85].*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83569*

*Agro-Industrial Waste Revalorization: The Growing Biorefinery DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83569*

**Figure 2.**

*Biomass for Bioenergy - Recent Trends and Future Challenges*

Physicochemical treatment

**Table 1.**

**Classification Treatment Application Advantage**

Pretreatment Temperature low Pool circulation Economic and popular

Biological Anaerobic fermentation Biodigestion Methane generation

New treatments Oxidation Redox reaction using ozone,

*Treatments actually used for the disposal of vinasse.*

Primary treatment Sedimentation pools Storage Easy for industrial volumes

pH neutralization Ca(OH)2 addition Economic and popular

Air flash floating Polymer addition Easy for industrial volumes

Coagulation Al2(SO4)3 addition Good remotion of solids

Flocculation Cationic polymer addition Good remotion of solids

Acidogenesis Biodigestion H2 and CO2 generation

Remotion of color, odor, and

organic matter

H2O2, UV radiation, or Cl

a polymer that allows accelerating the separation of soluble solids, and it is used as preparation for a biological process. The process is useful for the removal of solids, it is not efficient in the chemical demand of oxygen (CDO), and in addition, it is expensive in industrial scales. On the other hand, these strategies represent a focus of soil and subsoil contamination by filtration. The physicochemical treatments are mostly used on a pilot scale and generally used in two stages; in one, a coagulant is added to agglomerate soluble solids and then a flocculant for remotion. It is efficient in 20–30%, and its ability is being studied to remove the color; at the laboratory level, it has achieved a 70% reduction in color and 30% in CDO. Although there are already reports of a 100% removal efficiency using a cationic polymer [70], to date it has not been implemented on an industrial scale. It is estimated that the cost of these processes is 3.8 USD/Kg of vinasse, but the ecological impact of the emission of heavy metals and the reaction of chlorine salts with organic matter increases rather than decreases the level of toxicity. The main coagulants that are currently used in industries have metallic composition, and some environmentally friendly alternatives are being studied, including sugar polymers from some plant species, such as mesquite gum, shrimp chitosan, and some other vegetable gums [71]. Although removal percentages higher than metallic salts have been achieved by these alternatives, the process of obtaining is still expensive and uncommon.

**6. Market of the bioproducts derived from agro-industrial wastes**

small, it has a great potential for growth in the global market (**Figure 2**).

In the last year, exploitation of agricultural waste for development of new products with a commercial value has been investigated. New related sectors have appeared in the global scene with great growth opportunities in the global market. Therefore, the specialized search engine "Web of Science," using the keyword "waste" in conjunction with the descriptive words of each item shows that the sectors with the greatest number of publications are "biocomposites and the peptides with antioxidant activity." Even though at present research in these fields remains

Globally, sectors related with products from agro-industrial residues are growing, and therefore, there is an increase in the publications showing the enormous potential to enter and take a position in the market. If we look at the size of the market for each compound, we can direct and plan new strategies aimed at the

**92**

*Estimated market of new components obtained from waste (USD, billions) [79-85].*

development of products toward the sectors with the highest economic growth and create the interest of companies looking for innovation in each of the product. The main growing market is in the phytochemicals with the extraction of carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, among others with potential use in the alimentary industry. Valorization of residues can be achieved such as in soybean residues from pressing oil extraction, which are rich in phytochemical compounds [72]. Thus, there is a growing interest in agro-industrial residues as source of high-benefit products potentially useful as valuable constituents, flavors, and antioxidant in food and cosmetics [73]. The market of phytochemicals is becoming more competitive with the entry of pharmaceutical companies as Cargill, Hormel, and Doehler groups, which ensures a growing market. To pharmaceutical industry, bioactive peptides are considered a growing market and represent a potential solution to more efficacious disease treatment. In addition, peptides promise to combine the lower production costs and high specificity. For 2025, the proposed market growth appears to be near to USD \$48.04 billion (**Figure 2**). Current trends indicate that a bright future for bioactive peptides and position them as firm candidates to the growth and innovation in pharmaceutical industry with the participation at this moment of companies as Elly Lilly and Pfizer [74], while the biocomposites are being alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived material becoming increasingly utilized in a great variety of applications [75]. An increased research is reflected in the number of publications that indicates a strong trend for applications of eco-friendly materials. Kenaf fiber has been used to reinforce polyurethane composites improving the mechanical and thermal properties [76]. The global biocomposite market is estimated to grow at USD \$46.30 billion for 2025. The trends indicate that the rising awareness among people by the replacement of plastics with biodegradable and environmentally favorable alternatives allows the market growth [77]. Automotive sector is a rising market; the search for new materials that increase the safety of passengers and reduce the vehicle weight spurs market demand [78]. Biomass pellets are an emerging market with a lot of potential. The European Union was the primary market responsible for the global production and

consumption of pellets to residential and district heating East Asia being predicted to become the second largest consumer [6]. Generating an advantage to closing, the circle called "the field to the hand of consumption" creates new opportunities to transform the field of an agricultural activity to agro-industrial activity centered on a circular economy. Circular economy advises the reincorporation of residues into the economy; wastes become a transient phase in an ideally perpetual utilization cycle rather than environmentally sound disposal [1].
