Cocoa Shell Research Articles

Transformations of phenolic compounds in cocoa shell during in vitro colonic fermentation

Transformations of phenolic compounds in cocoa shell during in vitro colonic fermentation

Agronomic potential of four cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties grown on soils fertilized with cocoa shell compost and chicken droppings compost in Côte d’Ivoire

This study was conducted in the Lamto area to evaluate the effect of cocoa shell compost and chicken droppings compost on cassava agronomic variables. The main aim is to increase cassava production, which is in relative decline due to soil impoverishment through organic amendments. The evaluation led to the monitoring of plant development until harvest by measuring some agronomic variables of growth and yield of four varieties of cassava, Alleda agba, Bonoua, Six mois and Yacé each grown on soil fertilized with cocoa shell compost or chicken droppings compost. The experimental design used for this study was a complete randomized block design with 3 replicates. The results showed that the two fertilizers used, being rich in mineral elements, improved the agronomic variables of cassava, superior to the control. This was reflected in a high number of stems per cutting (3.62). However, the chicken droppings compost gave the best development in stem length for the Six mois variety (121.10 cm). The Bonoua variety gave the largest diameter stems (21.98 mm). This variety gave the highest number of leaves (59) and a wider span (109 cm) with wider (16.75 cm) and longer (17.96 cm) leaves. As for yields, the best was obtained with the Bonoua variety, respectively 27.13 t/ha and 35.26 t/ha with cocoa shell compost and chicken droppings compost compared with 12.77 t/ha for the control. Thus, compost and chicken droppings compost can be recommended to improve cassava productivity in Côte d'Ivoire.

Resistance artery vasodilator pathways involved in the antihypertensive effects of cocoa shell extract in rats exposed to fetal undernutrition.

Fetal undernutrition establishes the foundations for hypertension development, with oxidative stress being a key hallmark. A growing interest in nutraceuticals for treating hypertension and environmental waste concerns prompted the present study aiming to evaluate whether supplementation with a polyphenol enriched extract from cocoa shell (CSE), a by-product from the chocolate industry with antioxidant properties, reduces hypertension of developmental origin, thus improving mesenteric resistance artery (MRA) vasodilatation. Adult male and female offspring from rats exposed to 50% food restriction from mid-gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) and controls were used. Supplementation was given through a gelatine (vehicle, VEH) or containing CSE (250mgkg-1day-1) 5daysweek-1 for 3weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed by tail-cuff plethysmography. MRA function was studied by wire myography, and superoxide anion and nitric oxide were investigated by fluorescent indicators and confocal microscopy. Compared to control-VEH, MUN-VEH males showed significantly higher SBP, reduced MRA as well as relaxation to ACh, sodium nitroprusside and the AMPK agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside, but not to isoproterenol. In MUN males, endothelial endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and nitric oxide were unaltered, but MRA released a vasoconstrictor prostanoid and produced higher levels of superoxide anion. CSE normalized blood pressure and improved all above-mentioned MRA alterations in MUN males without an effect on control counterparts, except the reduction of superoxide anion. MUN-VEH females were normotensive and only showed a tendency towards larger superoxide anion production, which was abolished by CSE. CSE supplementation reduces SBP improving endothelium-dependent and independent MRA vasodilatation, related to local superoxide anion reduction, being a potential nutraceutical ingredient to counteract hypertension, in addition to contributing to the circular economy. KEY POINTS: Fetal undernutrition induces hypertension in males associated with deficient resistance artery vasodilatation, being normalized by cocoa shell extract (CSE). Release of a cyclooxygenase-derived contractile factor is the main endothelial alteration, which is abolished by CSE. AMPK and soluble guanylyl cyclase-mediated relaxation are also reduced in smooth muscle cells from maternal undernutrition resistance arteries, being improved by CSE. Vascular oxidative damage caused by excess superoxide anion generation can account for impaired vasodilatation, which is improved by CSE. The capacity of CSE to improve relaxation is probably related to its antioxidant bioactive factors, and thus cocoa shell is a potential food by-product to treat hypertension.

Targeting protein aggregation using a cocoa-bean shell extract to reduce α-synuclein toxicity in models of Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the major challenges in modern medicine, due to the progressive aging of the world population. Among these, Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 10 million people worldwide and is associated with the aggregation of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn). Here we use two different PD models, yeast cells and neuroblastoma cells overexpressing α-syn, to investigate the protective effect of an extract from the cocoa shell, which is a by-product of the roasting process of cocoa beans. The LC-ESI-qTOF-MS and NMR analyses allow the identification of amino acids (including the essential ones), organic acids, lactate and glycerol, confirming also the presence of the two methylxanthines, namely caffeine and theobromine. The present study demonstrates that the supplementation with the cocoa bean shell extract (CBSE) strongly improves the longevity of yeast cells expressing α-syn, reducing the level of reactive oxygen species, activating autophagy and reducing the intracellular protein aggresomes. These anti-aggregation properties are confirmed also in neuroblastoma cells, where CBSE treatment leads to activation of AMPK kinase and to a significant reduction of toxic α-syn oligomers. Results obtained by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay highlights that CBSE binds α-syn protein in a concentration-dependent manner, supporting its inhibitory role on the amyloid aggregation of α-syn. These findings suggest that the supplementation with CBSE in the form of nutraceuticals may represent a promising way to prevent neurodegenerative diseases associated with α-syn aggregation.

Uncovering cocoa shell as a safe bioactive food ingredient: Nutritional and toxicological breakthroughs

This work aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the cocoa shell flour (CSF) and aqueous extract (CSE) and conduct acute and sub-chronic toxicity assays to ensure safety. CSF was composed of 59.1 % dietary fiber, primarily insoluble fiber (48.1 %). CSE consisted entirely of soluble fiber (72.8 %), mainly pectic polysaccharides. The amino acid profile revealed CSF's potential as a high-quality plant protein source, whereas CSE was rich in free amino acids, especially leucine, valine, and alanine (59.6–62.5 mg 100 g−1). Higher levels of macroelements, especially potassium, were found in CSE. Silicon was the most abundant microelement, and heavy metal levels were within acceptable limits for both cocoa shell matrices. This study confirmed the bioactive potential of CSF and CSE, enriched in phenolic compounds and methylxanthines, including theobromine, caffeine, gallic acid, (+)-catechin, as well as N-phenylpropenoyl-l-amino acids. The high theobromine content in both matrices, especially in CSE (2605.3 mg 100 g−1), did not harm the mice's health; acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies demonstrated the safety of oral administration of CSF and CSE in mice, showing no lethality or remarkable histopathological changes. This research supports the safe use of CSF and CSE, establishing these ingredients as suitable for incorporation into food products.

Chemical and Physical Characterization of Vermicompost Produced from Organic Substrates

The present research was based on the evaluation of some physical and chemical properties of humus, using Eisenia foetida for the transformation of substrates. It was established under a completely randomized experimental design, six treatments were evaluated: T1; Bovine manure, T2; Sheep manure, T3; Cocoa shell, T4; 50% Bovine Manure and 50% Sheep Manure; T5; 50% Bovine manure and 50% Cocoa shell, T6; 50% Sheep manure and 50% Cocoa shell, with four repetitions respectively. The variables evaluated were major elements (N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg), as well as the C/N ratio, pH, MO, granulometry and EC. The results showed that the type of manure directly influences the quality of humus as a substrate, highlighting T2 with 0.486% in P. It is important to note that the origin, age and storage of the materials influence the mineral composition and part of the plant used, such as the cocoa fruit, which is a sink in K, reflecting T3 with 2.723% in K, 2.116% in N and 37.089% in MO above all treatments. Therefore, the choice of materials and their pre-composting processes must be adequate to feed the worms and some physical and chemical parameters required to obtain the quality and quantity of humus as a substrate, since an unexamined decision can reach to increase the mortality of worms by 100%.

Efficiency of Activated Carbon Derived from Cocoa Shells in Removing Pollutants from Wastewater

Efficiency of Activated Carbon Derived from Cocoa Shells in Removing Pollutants from Wastewater

Enhancing circular economy: eco-friendly starch extraction and modification using fungal crude enzymatic extract from cocoa shell waste

Enhancing circular economy: eco-friendly starch extraction and modification using fungal crude enzymatic extract from cocoa shell waste

Modification of Cyclone Separator Based on IOT Arduino Microcontroller with Activated Carbon from Cocoa Shell Waste as a Tool for Controlling Air Pollution

Modification of Cyclone Separator Based on IOT Arduino Microcontroller with Activated Carbon from Cocoa Shell Waste as a Tool for Controlling Air Pollution

The effect of ZnSO4 and Fe2(SO4)3 on the pyrolysis of cocoa shells: A tg-FTIR study

Pyrolysis stands out as one potential route for valorizing abundant agro-industrial cocoa residues. However, the products of this reaction, particularly bio-oil, do not possess the required quality for direct use in many applications. Thus, this study explores the use of iron sulfate and zinc sulfate as potential catalysts in the pyrolysis of these residues. In this investigation, the biomass, previously ground and dried, was impregnated with varying percentages of ferric sulfate and zinc sulfate. The TG-FTIR technique was employed to ascertain the effect of these salts on the pyrolysis of cocoa shell. The results were fitted with the DAEM model with three pseudo-components. It was determined that both salts induced alterations in the DTG profiles of the thermal decomposition of cocoa shell. In the evolved gases, compounds such as CO2, H2O, CH4, CO, HCN, and oxygenated compounds like HCOOH and CH3COOH were detected. Ferric sulfate significantly influenced the activation energies governing the reactions of the three pseudo-components. Conversely, the presence of zinc sulfate did not alter the activation energies associated with the decomposition of cocoa shell pseudo-components. Both catalysts induced alterations in the infrared spectra of the evolved gases, which is primarily evident in the relative intensities of bands corresponding to the stretching vibrations of constituent groups within CO2, CO, water, and oxygenated compounds.

Re-recycling agro-industrial waste: exploiting activated carbon from cocoa shells after solid-state fermentation as a support for endoglucanase immobilization

Re-recycling agro-industrial waste: exploiting activated carbon from cocoa shells after solid-state fermentation as a support for endoglucanase immobilization

Adsorption of Brilliant blue FCF (B1) and Allura Red (R40) colorants on cocoa shell: kinetics of the process

The use of dyes in food industrial processes is limited due to significant pollution in aquatic receptors from their wastewater. To address this issue, this study focused on evaluating the adsorption of dyes Allura Red (R40) and Brilliant blue FCF (B1) using cocoa shells (CS) as an absorbent. To achieve this, a pre-treatment was applied, which involved washing, grinding and drying at a temperature of 80 °C for 24 h, followed by a sieving process. The effect of the adsorbent dose was then analyzed and it was calculated that the optimal dose was 4 g/L. Additionally, the effect of contact time was studied through a kinetic analysis, all tests were carried out at a pH level of 2. The obtained data were fitted to kinetic models, which allowed us to conclude that the adsorption kinetics fit two different models depending on the initial solution conditions, in a range from 0 to 0.1512 mmol/L. Specifically, the Pseudo Second-Order (PSO) model fitted R40, while the Elovich model was appropriate for B1. In summary, CS was found to be a viable adsorbent for dyes in contaminated waters.

Detection and quantification of cocoa powder adulteration using Vis-NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics approach

The rising demand for cocoa powder has resulted in an upsurge in market prices, leading to the emergence of adulteration practices aimed at achieving economic benefits. This study aimed to detect and quantify cocoa powder adulteration using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS). The adulterants used in this study were powdered carob, cocoa shell, foxtail millet, soybean, and whole wheat. The NIRS data could not be resolved using Savitzky-Golay smoothing. Nevertheless, the application of a random forest and support vector machine successfully classified the samples with 100% accuracy. Quantification of adulteration using partial least squares (PLS), Lasso, Ridge, elastic Net, and RF regressions provided R2 higher than 0.96 and root mean square error <2.6. Coupling PLS with the Boruta algorithm produced the most reliable regression model (R2 = 1, RMSE = 0.0000). Finally, an online application was prepared to facilitate the determination of adulterants in the cocoa powder.

Study of liquid smoke toxicity cocoa shell with different purification methods

Cocoa shell is an underutilized agricultural trash. Cocoa shells can be used to make liquid smoke and cocoa charcoal as basic materials. The charcoal made from cocoa pod husks can be used as a dye adsorbent. The study will look at the effects of different purification and filtering procedures on the toxicity of liquid smoke from cocoa husks in order to determine which purification process is best for making liquid smoke from cocoa husks that is not harmful. The results demonstrated that several procedures for purifying and filtering liquid smoke from cocoa peels were non-toxic. Cocoa shell is an underutilized waste from plantations. Cocoa shells can be used as raw materials in the manufacture of liquid smoke and cocoa charcoal. The burning of cocoa pod husks charcoal can be used as a dye adsorbent. The research intends to observe the different purification and filtering methods on the liquid smoke toxicity from cocoa husks to find out which purification method is more appropriate for liquid smoke from cocoa husks so that it is not toxic. The results showed that the purification and filtering of liquid smoke from cocoa peels using various methods were non-toxic. The best approach with the highest LD50 value is zeolite purification, which has an LD50 value of 3019.95 ppm. The activated charcoal technique, activated charcoal + zeolite method, and distillation method were then used, with LD50 values of 2,951.21 ppm, 2,398.83 ppm, and 1,412.54 ppm, respectively.

Preparation and Characterization of Cocoa Shell - Pahae Natural Zeolite as a Metal Adsorption Material for Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) in Water

Research has been conducted on an adsorber made from cocoa shell activated charcoal and Pahae Natural Zeolite, designed as an absorber for Fe and Mn metals in well water purification. The cocoa shell were screened with a 100-mesh sieve, followed by carbonization to generate activated charcoal. In parallel, Pahae Natural Zeolite underwent a similar sieving process with a 100-mesh screen and was subsequently chemically activated using a 2.5 M NaOH solution. The compositions of the cocoa shell activated charcoal - Pahae Natural Zeolite adsorber were varied as follows (wt%): 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25. These mixtures were then compressed using a hydraulic press with a load of 6 tons for a duration of 10 minutes. The resulting samples underwent physical activation at different temperatures (300°C, 320°C, 340°C) for 30 minutes. The adsorber was subjected to characterization to ascertain its physical properties (porosity, adsorption capacity, density), mechanical properties (compressive strength and hardness), surface morphology, and elemental composition (SEM-EDX). The outcomes of the tests demonstrated the efficacy of the cocoa shell activated charcoal - zeolite based adsorber in significantly reducing iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) levels, with a remarkable reduction in Fe content by 99.76% and Mn content by 99.70%.

FORMULATION OF PEEL-OFF GEL MASK OF COCOA SKIN EXTRACT (Theobroma cacao L) WITH VARIED CONCENTRATION GELLING AGENT

Cocoa shells are waste from the plantation industry, with a fairly good potential source of energy and protein. The ethanol extract of cocoa shells contains alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins. Cocoa shell extract has strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 17.21 ppm and has sunscreen activity. This study aimed to determine the formulation and physical test of a peel-off gel mask with cocoa shell extract (Theobroma cacao L) and to determine its effect. The research method used was an experimental method with variations in the concentration of a combination of HPMC and PVA of 2%:10%, 3%:9%, 4%:8%, 5%:7%, and 0%:12%. The physical tests used on the peel-off gel mask with cocoa shell extract (Theobroma cacao L) included organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, drying time, adhesiveness, viscosity, and cycling tests. Based on the results of the research carried out, peel-off gel mask has the characteristics of a brown color, a distinctive extract smell and a thick texture, homogeneous for F1 and F5, and not homogeneous for F2, F3, and F4, sticking force 4.53±0.24 seconds; 5.45±0.36 seconds; 8.94±0.64 seconds; 11.23±0.72 seconds; 3.87±0.70 seconds; spreadability 3.99 ± 0.18 cm; 3.33±0.31 cm; 3.47±0.78 cm; 3.32±0.50 cm; 3.05±0.42 cm; pH 6.17 ± 0.10; 6.16±0.03; 6.15±0.10; 6.11±0.05; 6.42±0.03; viscosity 19481.10±201.10; 20165.50±1.05; 20165.73±2.02; 20182.53±9.47; 14618.40±158.48. The physical stability of the gel mask preparations after treatment showed that the results of the peel-off gel mask preparations, F1 and F5, were stable. Keywords: peel-off gel mask, cocoa shell, extract, gelling agent

From byproducts to bioresources: cocoa shell solid-state fermentation lipase as a low-cost esterification catalyst

From byproducts to bioresources: cocoa shell solid-state fermentation lipase as a low-cost esterification catalyst

Synthesis Methods, Properties, and Modifications of Biochar-Based Materials for Wastewater Treatment: A Review

The global impact of water and soil contamination has become a serious issue that affects the world and all living beings. In this sense, multiple treatment alternatives have been developed at different scales to improve quality. Among them, biochar has become a suitable alternative for environmental remediation due to its high efficiency and low cost, and the raw material used for its production comes from residual biomass. A biochar is a carbonaceous material with interesting physicochemical properties (e.g., high surface area, porosity, and functional surface groups), which can be prepared by different synthesis methods using agricultural wastes (branches of banana rachis, cocoa shells, cane bagasse, among others) as feedstock. This state-of-the-art review is based on a general description of biochar for environmental remediation. Biochar’s production, synthesis, and multiple uses have also been analyzed. In addition, this work shows some alternatives used to improve the biochar properties and thus its efficiency for several applications, like removing heavy metals, oil, dyes, and other toxic pollutants. Physical and chemical modifications, precursors, dopants, and promoting agents (e.g., Fe and N species) have been discussed. Finally, the primary uses of biochar and the corresponding mechanism to improve water and soil quality (via adsorption, heterogeneous photocatalysis, and advanced oxidation processes) have been described, both at laboratory and medium and large scales. Considering all the advantages, synthesis methods, and applications, biochar is a promising alternative with a high potential to mitigate environmental problems by improving water and soil quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting the circular economy through residual biomass, generating value-added products for several uses.

Efficient removal of hydroxychloroquine sulfate using cocoa shell activated carbon: a green approach investigating equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics

In recent years, the world has suffered from the pandemic of the century, known as COVID-19. A significant effort has been exerted to develop new and more efficient treatments in order to find an effective cure. As a result, various pharmaceutical products have been tested and utilized. However, the presence of emerging contaminants such as these pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments poses a serious threat, as their actual effects on both the environment and human health remain largely unknown. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the potential use of activated carbon derived from cocoa shells for the effective removal of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the capability of this type of activated carbon to eliminate this persistent pharmaceutical from aqueous systems. The cocoa shell activated carbon demonstrated a high adsorption capacity (98%) under mild operating conditions, including an adsorption time of 180 min, a pH of 7, an activated carbon dosage of 1.5 g L−1, an initial HCQ concentration of 10 mg L−1, and a stirring speed of 400 rpm at 297 K. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, while intraparticle diffusion was found to be a suitable description for higher concentrations. Further insight was gained by applying isotherm and thermodynamic studies. The results indicated that the adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. Moreover, the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption of HCQ onto the cocoa shell-activated carbon is exothermic and spontaneous.

Optimization of the cocoa shell, inoculum, and water mixture for biogas production with 40-70% methane concentrations

Biomass has been a valuable source of energy over the years and its application includes many areas, whether for cooking, heating, or electricity generation. In Honduras, especially in the rural sector, biomass, mainly firewood, became the main source of energy, which has led to a high consumption of firewood and, consequently, to an increase in the rate of deforestation. In this study, we proposed to use a more specific biomass, cocoa husk, as feedstock for biogas generation. It is important to note that biogas does not only consist of methane; it also contains carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and oxygen (O2). However, to be considered of quality, the concentration of methane in the biogas must range between 40% and 70%. The main objective of this research has been to optimize the mixture of raw materials, including cocoa husk, water and inoculum, with the purpose of obtaining a methane (CH4) concentration in the biogas produced, located in the range of 40%-70%. To achieve biogas production, several tests were carried out in four biodigesters, each with different proportions of water, inoculum, cocoa husk and grinding level. This made it possible to obtain varying amounts of biogas and to measure the methane gas concentration in each test. During the operation of the biodigesters, the temperature and pH of the mixture were constantly monitored. This was possible because methanogenic bacteria, responsible for methane generation, thrive at temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius and in a pH range of 6 to 8. The results obtained have the potential to demonstrate that cocoa shells can be a viable feedstock for biogas generation in Honduras. Furthermore, these findings could serve as a basis for future research in other cities around the world, thus contributing to the search for energy generation solutions.