Verbenone and carvone are allylic monoterpenoid ketones with many applications in the fine chemicals industry that can be obtained, respectively, from the allylic oxidation of α-pinene and limonene over a silica-supported iron hexadecachlorinated phthalocyanine (FePcCl₁₆-NH₂-SiO₂) catalyst and with t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. As there are no reported analyses of the environmental impacts associated with catalytic transformation of terpenes into value-added products that include the steps associated with synthesis of the catalyst and several options of raw materials in the process, this contribution reports the evaluation of the environmental impacts in the conceptual process to produce verbenone and carvone considering two scenarios (SI-raw-oils and SII-purified-oils). The impact categories were evaluated using ReCiPe and IPCC methods implemented in SimaPro 9.3 software. The environmental impacts in the synthesis of the heterogeneous catalyst FePcCl₁₆-NH₂-SiO₂ showed that the highest burdens in terms of environmental impact come from the use of fossil fuel energy sources and solvents, which primarily affect human health. The most significant environmental impacts associated with carvone and verbenone production are global warming and fine particulate matter formation, with fewer environmental impacts associated with the process that starts directly from turpentine and orange oils (SI-raw-oils) instead of the previously extracted α-pinene and limonene (SII-purified-oils). As TBHP was identified as a hotspot in the production process of verbenone and carvone, it is necessary to choose a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient oxidizing agent for the oxidation of turpentine and orange oils.

The transition from fossil-based to bio-based chemicals and fuels is essential to mitigate environmental impacts and promote sustainability. Sesame (Sesamun indicum L.), a widely used oilseed crop, presents significant potential for biorefinery applications due to its high oil content, valuable bioactive compounds, and abundant lignocellulosic biomass. This review explores recent advances in bio-based, extraction, and catalytic processes for the integral valorization of sesame crops. Bio-based conversion routes, including anaerobic digestion and fermentation, enable the sustainable production of biofuels such as biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel. Advanced extraction techniques facilitate the recovery of high-value compounds, namely lignans and proteins, for use in pharmaceuticals and functional foods. Catalytic processes, such as transesterification and epoxidation, further expand the potential of sesame oil for bioplastics, polyurethane production, and biofuel synthesis. The novelty of this review lies in providing the first integrated assessment of sesame valorization pathways within a biorefinery framework, highlighting unexplored synergies across energy, materials, and nutraceutical applications. Key challenges such as process scalability, cost-efficiency, and environmental trade-offs were identified as critical barriers to large-scale implementation. Addressing these gaps can guide future research efforts and inform policymakers, ultimately creating economic opportunities for farmers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting circular bio-economy models based on sesame and similar crops.