Post-Industrial Use of Sugarcane Ethanol Vinasse: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Vinasse is a toxic pollutant if it is poured into the ecosystem indiscriminately; despite this, it integrates components that make it valuable in nutrients and water. However, its use has been questioned due to the costs involved in its purification. This systematic review focuses on the valorization of vinasse from the studies performed for its post-industrial use. Trends in vinasse management and bioproduct development were analyzed. The PRISMA statement was used as a formal guide for collecting and analyzing 131 studies from 2018 to 2022. We determined that biological processes are the most used to obtain the benefits of vinasse, obtaining up to three post-industrial bioproducts. While it is true that there is a predominant trend of studies focused on the generation of biofuels, it must be noted that the beginning of the sucro-alcohol chain was the agricultural field. In this sense, we determine that 14% of the studies treat vinasse for agricultural reuse purposes, so, under Circular Economy principles, the reincorporation of vinasse into the agricultural field to take advantage of its goodness in nutrients and minerals as a sustainable and eco-efficient alternative should be a research trend that accelerates the consumption of vinasse generated in alcohol distilleries.