Chlorophyll extraction from pineapple plantation waste through mechanical extraction

Abstract

The presence of chlorophyll in pineapple waste provides a lot of benefits to all living things. The application of pineapple waste chlorophyll as an alternative natural dye in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) could be advantageous. DSSC is a new invented technology that contributes to a renewable energy source that is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The purpose of the research was to apply mechanical extraction to extract chlorophyll from pineapple plantation waste and to determine the important factors involved in the process. A sugarcane machine was used to extract chlorophyll from pineapple waste. The factors investigated in the process were type of waste (leaf only or mixed waste), heat pre-treatment (yes/no), extraction cycle (1–3 cycles) and storage time (8–36 h). The concentrations of chlorophyll a and b were measured by using an Ultraviolet–Visible spectrophotometer . Design-Expert software was used to construct the design table and perform all the data analysis for total chlorophyll (TC) using two-level factorial analysis. The results revealed that all factors had a significant effect on extraction, with extraction cycle having the greatest effect. A significant model for the process was discovered with an R 2 value of 0.9983. A maximum extraction yield of 29.52 mg L −1 TC was obtained using leaf only without heat pretreatment after 3 cycles of extraction cycle and 8 h of storage. The outcomes of this study indicate the potential of pineapple leaves as a source of chlorophyll by investigating all of the factors that affect extraction yields while keeping costs low. • Chlorophyll was extracted mechanically from pineapple waste. • Pineapple leaves have a higher potential for chlorophyll production. • Total chlorophyll extraction of up to 29.52 mg L −1 was achieved. • The extraction time was the most significant factor in the extraction process. • A good fit model was obtained for the extraction process.