Project Abstract

Abstract
Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a byproduct generated in large quantities by the cocoa industry, leading to environmental concerns due to its disposal. Lignin, a complex aromatic polymer present in CPH, has gained attention for its potential as a renewable resource. This study focuses on the extraction of lignin from cocoa pod husk (Theobroma cacao) using various methods such as acid hydrolysis, alkaline extraction, and organosolv processes. The goal is to optimize the extraction process to obtain high-quality lignin with desirable properties for potential applications in industries such as bioplastics, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. Characterization techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) are employed to analyze the extracted lignin in terms of its chemical structure, molecular weight distribution, and purity. The effects of extraction parameters such as temperature, time, solvent type, and concentration on the yield and properties of lignin are investigated to determine the most efficient extraction conditions. Additionally, the potential environmental impact of utilizing CPH for lignin extraction is assessed to evaluate the sustainability of the process. The results demonstrate that lignin can be successfully extracted from cocoa pod husk using the proposed methods, with the organosolv process showing promising results in terms of high yield and purity of lignin. The characterization results reveal that the extracted lignin possesses suitable properties for various industrial applications, indicating its potential as a valuable resource. Furthermore, the optimization of extraction parameters significantly influences the yield and quality of the extracted lignin, highlighting the importance of process control in lignin extraction from CPH. The environmental assessment suggests that utilizing CPH for lignin extraction could contribute to reducing waste generation and promoting a more sustainable cocoa industry. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the extraction of lignin from cocoa pod husk, offering a promising avenue for the utilization of this agricultural byproduct as a renewable and valuable resource in various industrial applications.

Project Overview

 INTRODUCTION

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) fruits are important commodity of economic value since the seeds or beans is used to produce high demand products such as cocoa powder, butter and chocolate. The processing of cocoa fruits generates a large amount of cocoa pod husk discard as wastes (Alemawor et al., 2009). Cocoa pod husk represents between 70 to 75% of the whole cocoa fruit weight where each ton of cocoa fruit will produce between 700 to 750 kg of cocoa pod husks (Cruz et al., 2012). In Malaysia, the plantation of cocoa is over 20,643 hectre (Malaysia Koko Board, 2011). Hence, it can be estimated at least 320,000 kg of cocoa pod husk is generated after processing. Conventionally, these organic wastes is shipped away for processing or disposed to landfill. These large quantities of cocoa pod husk could yield a large quantity of fibrous materials which might be suitable as alternative resources especially in pulp and paper making industries.

In order to maximize the utilization of organic wastes or non-wood fibres for pulp and paper production, a complete study of its chemical and morphological properties is required. In this context, the main objective of this work is to investigate the chemical compositions of cassava peels and cacao pod husks fibre used for pulp and papermaking industry. In addition, characterization of surface morphology in both non-wood fibres was also determined. The results obtained in this study could be utilised in assessing the agriculture wastes potential as raw materials for pulp and paper production industries.

Lignin found in cacao is high complex macromolecule linked together by different types of bonds, including alkyl-aryl, alkyl-alkyl and aryl-aryl ether bonds (Kumar et al., 2011). It obstructs enzymes from degradation associated  with structural carbohydrates (Taherzadeh and Karimi, 2010). Therefore, prior treatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks, to remove or denature lignin, is essential for achieving a high yield of fermentable sugars (Yang and Wyman, 2012; Carroll and Somerville, 2010). Plant by-products differ in monolignol constituents of lignin’s and lignin chemistry can vary depending on its origin. The characterization of lignin is critical to the optimization of pre-treatment parameters in the cellulosic ethanol production process. It on this background that this study examines the extraction and characterization of lignin using cocoa (Theobroma cacoa) pod husk.

The aim of the study is to extract lignin and to characterize the lignin extracted from the pod husk of cacao pod. Specific objectives are

1. To quantify the amount of lignin content of cocao(Theobroma cacoa) pod.
2. To investigate the proximate content of cocoa pod with respect to it ash content, moisture content, carbon content and surface area.
3. To characterize the lignin content of cocoa pod.

 

• Significance of the study

The study is significant since it will quantify the amount of lignin present in cocoa pod and the proximate content of cocoa pod. The study will also highlight the characteristics of cocoa pod.

The scope of the study covers the extraction and characterization of cocoa pod husk and proximate analysis of cocoa pod.