An Evaluation of the Energy Potential of Agri-Food Waste: Green Residues from Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Shea Nutshells ( Vitellaria paradoxa )

Maja Owczarek, Hanna Siwek () and Małgorzata Włodarczyk ()
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Maja Owczarek: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
Hanna Siwek: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
Małgorzata Włodarczyk: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Addressing the agricultural challenges of agri-food waste accumulation, this study assessed the energy potential of green residues from tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Kmicic) plants in different fertilizer configurations and Shea nutshell ( Vitellaria paradoxa ) waste. Two key parameters were compared: (I) Calorific Value ( CV ), representing thermal treatment, and (II) Biogas and Biomethane production potential, representing biochemical treatment. Potential was estimated using the Baserga method and the fermentable organic matter ( FOM ) method. Additionally, the effect of tomato fertilization on the elemental composition and energy potential of its waste was analyzed. Shea waste showed better properties for both thermal and biochemical utilization, with a CV of 16.29 MJ/kg. The Baserga and FOM methods of estimation showed that the highest Biogas yields from Shea waste were 504.18 and 671.39 L N /kg DM , respectively. Among fertilized tomato residues, volcanic tuff fertilizer additive resulted in an optimal C / N ratio (28.41) and a high Biogas production potential of 457.13 L N /kg DM (Baserga) and 542.85 L N /kg DM ( FOM ). These findings demonstrate the feasibility of employing tomato waste and Shea waste as promising feedstock for energy production.

Keywords: biowaste and bioenergy; waste-to-energy; biogas and biomethane production; calorific value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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