Valorization of Agricultural Waste Through Microbial Fermentation Into Industrial-Grade Bio-Succinic Acid: A Review

Agricultural waste, particularly lignocellulosic and agro-industrial by-products, is abundant in developing countries and represents a valuable resource for biotechnological applications. Among biobased chemicals, bio-succinic acid (BSA) has emerged as a key platform chemical with broad industrial relevance, including in biodegradable plastics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. This review explores BSA production from underutilized agricultural residues through microbial fermentation using bacteria and yeast. A bibliographic analysis of 3569 publications (1988–2023) is conducted to highlight advances in biological synthesis, fermentation strategies, and bioreactor operations. Key microbial strains discussed include Actinobacillus succinogenes, Basfia succiniciproducens, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Feedstocks such as corn stover, cane molasses, and glycerol are evaluated for their process viability. Challenges in downstream processing and product purification are critically examined. The review proposes future directions, including metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and membrane-based purification systems, for scalable and sustainable BSA production. By valorizing organic waste, this process supports circular economy principles and offers economic and environmental co-benefits.