Forgotten Bioresources: Lignocellulosic Residues: Sampling and Characterization of Agrofood Wastes - Case Studies from Egypt

Lignocellulosic residues from agrofood wastes represent an abundant but underutilized resource for the circular economy. In Egypt and the Mediterranean region, millions of tones of date palm fronds, banana pseudo-stems, vegetable processing wastes, brewery spent grain, cotton stalks, grape and olive pruning, sugar cane bagasse, and tomato residues are burned, dumped, or left to decompose annually. This book provides a practical, standardized guide for sampling and characterizing these materials as potential feedstocks for bioplastics and other value-added products. It presents reproducible protocols for site identification, sample collection, drying, milling, and holocellulose determination, applied to eleven agrofood residues across Egypt. Each case study documents biomass source, on-site management, physical characteristics, processing metrics, and chemical composition, including holocellulose content. By establishing a common language and methodology, this guide enables researchers, engineers, and policymakers to compare results, build on each other's work, and accelerate the transition from laboratory research to industrial applications.