Shirmith Nirmal1 and Muhammad Zarar Hasan2
1Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peadeniya, Sri Lanka; 2Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: zararhassan49@gmail.com
Coffee pulp, the primary by-product of wet coffee processing, has long been regarded as an environmental pollutant due to its bulkiness, high moisture content, and presence of anti-nutritional compounds. However, recent research has shifted this perspective, identifying coffee pulp as a valuable biomass rich in sugars, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and bioactive alkaloids. This review explores the multifaceted opportunities for coffee pulp valorization across agricultural, nutritional, and biotechnological domains. Agriculturally, composted or fermented pulp can enhance soil fertility, act as a green manure, or serve as animal feed after detoxification. In the food sector, coffee pulp is being used in functional beverages, high-fiber products, and as a natural antioxidant or antimicrobial agent. Biotechnologically, it supports fermentation processes to produce ethanol, organic acids, enzymes, pigments, and biodegradable plastics. Sustainability and circular economy perspectives show that valorizing coffee pulp reduces environmental burden, supports rural economies, and contributes to climate resilience. Despite these advances, challenges related to composition variability, detoxification, infrastructure, and policy remain. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for scalable biorefinery models, life cycle assessment, and inclusive value chain integration to fully realize coffee pulp’s potential as a sustainable resource.