Mugivhisa Liziwe L, Manganyi Madira C
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 139, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa.
Life (Basel). 2025 Mar 28;15(4):552. doi: 10.3390/life15040552.
The escalating global issue of food waste, valued at billions of USD annually and significantly impacting sustainability across social, economic, and environmental dimensions, necessitates innovative solutions to enhance waste management processes. Conventional decomposition techniques frequently encounter challenges related to inefficiencies and extended processing durations. This investigation examines the potential contributions of medicinal plants as green catalysts in the decomposition of food waste, utilizing their bioactive compounds to mitigate these obstacles. Medicinal plants facilitate the decomposition process through various mechanisms as follows: they secrete enzymes and metabolites that aid in the disintegration of organic matter, enhancing microbial activity and soil pH and structure. Furthermore, they foster nitrogen cycling and generate growth regulators that further optimize the efficiency of decomposition. The symbiotic associations between medicinal plants and microorganisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria, are also instrumental in enhancing nutrient cycling and improving rates of decomposition. The utilization of medicinal plants in food waste management not only accelerates the decomposition process but also underpins sustainable practices by converting waste into valuable compost, thereby enriching soil health and lessening dependence on chemical fertilizers. This methodology is congruent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and presents a plausible trajectory toward a circular economy and improved environmental sustainability.
全球食物浪费问题日益严重，每年造成的损失高达数十亿美元，对社会、经济和环境层面的可持续性产生重大影响，因此需要创新解决方案来加强废物管理流程。传统的分解技术常常面临效率低下和处理时间过长的问题。本研究探讨了药用植物作为绿色催化剂在食物垃圾分解中的潜在作用，利用其生物活性化合物来克服这些障碍。药用植物通过以下多种机制促进分解过程：它们分泌有助于分解有机物的酶和代谢物，增强微生物活性以及改善土壤pH值和结构。此外，它们促进氮循环并产生生长调节剂，进一步优化分解效率。药用植物与微生物（包括菌根真菌和根际细菌）之间的共生关系，也有助于增强养分循环并提高分解速率。在食物垃圾管理中利用药用植物不仅能加速分解过程，还通过将废物转化为有价值的堆肥，支持可持续发展实践，从而改善土壤健康并减少对化肥的依赖。这种方法符合《2030年可持续发展议程》，为实现循环经济和改善环境可持续性提供了一条可行的途径。
