7 April 2024 | Fabrícia Vieira, Hortência E. P. Santana, Meireilly Jesus, Joana Santos, Preciosa Pires, Manuela Vaz-Velho, Daniel Pereira Silva and Denise Santos Ruzene
Coconut waste is a significant resource in the circular economy, offering sustainable solutions for waste management and value creation. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a vital resource in tropical regions, providing economic and subsistence value. However, the harvesting process generates substantial agro-industrial residue, posing environmental risks if not properly managed. This review explores the potential of coconut waste, emphasizing its lignocellulosic composition rich in lignin and multifunctional groups. The paper highlights the diverse applications of coconut products, focusing on the utilization of residues to generate sustainable products and byproducts. It underscores the importance of repurposing coconut waste to mitigate environmental impact and support a circular economy, promoting the use of lignocellulosic biomass in research and industry.
The coconut fruit comprises several parts, including the solid endosperm (coconut meat), liquid endosperm (coconut water), and three hierarchical layers of peel. Coconut meat is the most exploited component, but all parts of the plant can be used for value-added products. Copra, the dried mature kernel, is the source of coconut oil, a major marketable product. Other applications include desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut flour. Coconut water is a nutritious beverage, and coconut sugar is a marketable product with high nutritional value.
Coconut residues, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, have significant potential for valorization. These residues can be transformed into value-added products such as handicrafts, organic fertilizers, bioethanol, cementitious materials, bioadsorbents, and alternative solid fuels. The study emphasizes the need for efficient technologies to process coconut residues, considering the challenges in collection, transportation, and processing. It also highlights the integration of coconut residue valorization into the circular bioeconomy, advocating for sustainable residue management.
The paper discusses the historical cultivation of coconuts, their chemical composition, and applications. It highlights the importance of coconut in the global economy and the challenges in managing its residues. The study provides a comprehensive overview of coconut's historical insights, planting characteristics, chemical compositions, and applications, focusing on generating value-added products from residues. It emphasizes the economic and industrial reintegration of lignocellulosic biomass as a key raw material for value-added products. The review also discusses the potential of coconut residues in various applications, including civil construction, filtering materials, ethanol production, and pyrolysis products, highlighting their role in sustainable development and resource management.Coconut waste is a significant resource in the circular economy, offering sustainable solutions for waste management and value creation. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a vital resource in tropical regions, providing economic and subsistence value. However, the harvesting process generates substantial agro-industrial residue, posing environmental risks if not properly managed. This review explores the potential of coconut waste, emphasizing its lignocellulosic composition rich in lignin and multifunctional groups. The paper highlights the diverse applications of coconut products, focusing on the utilization of residues to generate sustainable products and byproducts. It underscores the importance of repurposing coconut waste to mitigate environmental impact and support a circular economy, promoting the use of lignocellulosic biomass in research and industry.
The coconut fruit comprises several parts, including the solid endosperm (coconut meat), liquid endosperm (coconut water), and three hierarchical layers of peel. Coconut meat is the most exploited component, but all parts of the plant can be used for value-added products. Copra, the dried mature kernel, is the source of coconut oil, a major marketable product. Other applications include desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut flour. Coconut water is a nutritious beverage, and coconut sugar is a marketable product with high nutritional value.
Coconut residues, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, have significant potential for valorization. These residues can be transformed into value-added products such as handicrafts, organic fertilizers, bioethanol, cementitious materials, bioadsorbents, and alternative solid fuels. The study emphasizes the need for efficient technologies to process coconut residues, considering the challenges in collection, transportation, and processing. It also highlights the integration of coconut residue valorization into the circular bioeconomy, advocating for sustainable residue management.
The paper discusses the historical cultivation of coconuts, their chemical composition, and applications. It highlights the importance of coconut in the global economy and the challenges in managing its residues. The study provides a comprehensive overview of coconut's historical insights, planting characteristics, chemical compositions, and applications, focusing on generating value-added products from residues. It emphasizes the economic and industrial reintegration of lignocellulosic biomass as a key raw material for value-added products. The review also discusses the potential of coconut residues in various applications, including civil construction, filtering materials, ethanol production, and pyrolysis products, highlighting their role in sustainable development and resource management.