Pepper Waste Research Articles

Development of anti-corrosion, structural, and optoelectronic potential of Capsicum annuum-Doped AA6063 alloy for marine applications

The study explores the potential of incorporating pepper waste as a reinforcement material in aluminium AA6063 composites, with focussing on the morphological, mechanical, electrochemical, and optoelectric properties. Pepper wastes, including stalks and seeds, were carbonised, pulverized, and sieved to yield 75 μm particulates. These were mixed with molten AA6063 alloy via stir casting, with the pepper content ranging from 0% to 25% by weight. The composites were characterised using hardness testing, electrochemical evaluation, optoelectrical analysis, and morphological analysis. Hardness tests revealed that the 25% pepper-reinforced sample exhibited the highest hardness value of 37 HRB, a 31.7% increase over the control sample. Electrochemical evaluations showed significant improvements in corrosion resistance, with the corrosion potential (Ecorr) of the 25% pepper-reinforced sample reducing to −0.59 V and the corrosion rate decreasing to 7.69 mm/yr. Optoelectrical testing indicated enhanced conductivity in samples with higher pepper content, with the 25% reinforcement achieving a conductivity of 0.1979 (Ωm)⁻1. Morphological tests, such as SEM and XRD, revealed the uniform distribution of pepper particles and the occurrence of several phases that contribute to the composite's improved properties.

The Effect of Different Extraction Conditions on the Physicochemical Properties of Novel High Methoxyl Pectin-like Polysaccharides from Green Bell Pepper (GBP)

Green peppers are massively produced all over the world; however, substantial quantities of peppers are wasted. Functional polysaccharides can be produced from pepper waste. A conventional acid extraction method was used to obtain pectin-like materials from green bell pepper (GBP). A 23 experimental design (two-level factorials with three factors: temperature, pH, and time) was used to study the relationship between the extraction conditions and the measured physicochemical properties. The extracted polysaccharides were further analysed regarding their physicochemical and functional properties. The yields were in the range of (11.6–20.7%) and the highest yield value was extracted at pH 1. The polysaccharides were classified as “pectin-like”, as the galacturonic acid content was lower than 65%. Glucose and galactose were the major neutral sugars, and their relative amounts were dependent on the extraction conditions. The degree of esterification (DE) of the pectin-like extracts was greater than 50% and they were therefore classified as high methoxyl regardless of the extraction conditions. Also, important levels of phenolic materials (32.3–52.9 mg GAE/g) and proteins (1.5–5.4%) were present in the extract and their amounts varied depending on the extraction conditions. The green bell pepper polysaccharides demonstrated antioxidant and emulsifying activities and could also be used adequately to stabilise oil/water emulsion systems. This finding shows that green bell pepper could be used as an alternative source of antioxidants and an emulsifier/stabilising agent, and furthermore, the extraction conditions could be fine-tunned to produce polysaccharides with the desired quality depending on their application.

The Influence of Polyphenolic Compounds on Anaerobic Digestion of Pepper Processing Waste during Biogas and Biomethane Production

Pepper processing waste has the potential to be used as a substrate in the process of anaerobic digestion, but because of its high polyphenol content, certain limitations are expected. During the determination of the biodegradability of pepper samples, a biogas potential of 687 L/kg DM was observed, as well as a biomethane potential of 401 L/kg DM. While both the testing of biodegradability and the process in the pilot scale progressed, it was observed that total polyphenol content in both cases decreased. Also, as far as individual polyphenols during the process in the pilot scale are concerned, it can be observed that at the end of the process no procyanidin A2, epicatechin, myricetin, and quercetin were detected. The observed concentration of the ferulic acid on the last day of the process was 0.09 µg/g. Finally, it can be concluded that the presence of polyphenols did not significantly affect the biogas potential of pepper waste. Due to its relatively stable biogas production, as far as biogas production on the pilot scale is concerned, it can be concluded that pepper processing waste has the potential to be used as a substrate for biogas production.

Obtaining Sustainable Electrical Energy from Pepper Waste

Currently, two significant problems involve the government, population, and environment: the accelerated increase in organic waste and the need to replace conventional energy with environmentally sustainable energy. The sustainable use of organic waste is being intensely investigated to generate energy plants that produce alternative sustainable electrical energy beneficial to the population at a low cost. The novelty of this research is given by the use of pepper waste as fuel in the generation of bioelectricity, giving added value to these types of waste, benefiting farmers and companies dedicated to the export and import of these fruits, because they will be able to generate their own electrical energy using their own waste at a lower cost. For this reason, this research uses pepper waste as fuel in single-chamber microbial fuel cells manufactured at a low cost as its primary objective. The maximum values of the electric current (5.118 ± 0.065 mA) and electric potential (1.018 ± 0.101 V) were shown on the fourteenth day, with an optimal operating pH of 7.141 ± 0.134 and electrical conductivity of 112.846 ± 4.888 mS/cm. Likewise, a reduction in the COD was observed from 1210.15 ± 0.89 mg/L to 190.36 ± 16.58 mg/L in the 35 days of monitoring and with a maximum ORP of 426.995 ± 8.615 mV, whose internal resistance was 33.541 ± 2.471 Ω. The peak power density was 154.142 ± 8.151 mW/cm2 at a current density of 4.834 A/cm2, and the Rossellomorea marisflavi strain was identified with 99.57% identity.

Re-Valorization of Red Habanero Chili Pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) Waste by Recovery of Bioactive Compounds: Effects of Different Extraction Processes

Inadequately managed agricultural waste significantly impacts the environment, health, and economy. This pollution stems from the underutilization, inadequate awareness, and insufficient treatment of agricultural waste. Fruit and vegetable wastes are valuable sources of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to revalorize discarded waste from red habanero chili peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) by extracting bioactive compounds through different extraction processes: maceration (ME), maceration assisted by ultrasound (US), Soxhlet extraction (SE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and supercritical fluid extraction with a co-solvent (SFEC). The extraction processes had significant effects on extraction efficiency and phytochemical profile (capsaicinoids and carotenoids recovery). The results indicated that the highest-efficiency process was SFEC, in addition to its high phytochemicals recovery (14.9 mg of total capsaicinoids and total carotenoids 292.09 µg per gram of sample). Concerning the phytochemical profile of the extract, the maceration process yielded the highest concentration of compounds, followed by US and SFEC. These data reveal that the use of the SFE and SFEC processes is recommended for extracting phytochemicals with biological activity from red habanero chili pepper waste for diverse industrial applications.

EDUCAÇÃO QUÍMICA PARA UM FUTURO SUSTENTÁVEL: DESVENDANDO A CINÉTICA QUÍMICA DA PIRÓLISE DO RESÍDUO DA CULTURA DE PIMENTA-DO-REINO (Piper Nigrum L.) PARA A POTENCIAL PRODUÇÃO DE BIO-ÓLEO

CHEMICAL EDUCATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: UNRAVELING THE CHEMICAL KINETICS OF PYROLYSIS OF BLACK PEPPER (Piper Nigrum L.) CROP RESIDUE FOR THE POTENTIAL PRODUCTION OF BIO-OIL. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework to guide actions towards a more sustainable future, emphasizing the need for sustainable production and consumption patterns (SDG 12), urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts (SDG 13), and ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education (SDG 4). In this context, environmental education (EE) becomes crucial to empower present and future generations to address complex environmental challenges. Promoting EE can be enhanced through Chemistry education, encouraging the use of biomass as a primary energy source, a significant ally in addressing the SDGs. This study integrates experimental and educational chemical knowledge on the pyrolysis reaction of black pepper waste, aiming at higher education in Chemistry in an Environmental Chemistry class at Federal University of Espírito Santo. It aims to provide an in-depth understanding of chemical kinetics, connected to sustainable development through the theoretical-methodological strategy of problematized experimental activity (PEA). The developed PEA comprised five theoretical-experimental classes, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) simulation and pyrolysis furnace testing. The results indicate significant learning in Chemical Kinetics and themes related to the pyrolysis process associated with sustainable development, highlighting the contribution of the utilized PEA.

Nanocrystalline cellulose from lactic acid hydrolysis of pepper waste (Piper nigrum L.): Response surface methodology optimization and application in bio-composite

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCs) was successfully isolated from pepper biowaste using lactic acid hydrolysis and employed as filler in seaweed biocomposite. Optimization of hydrolysis parameters by employing response surface methodology (RSM) generates 75.50 % NCs with 76.68 % crystallinity at 6.31 M lactic acid, 3.02 h and 85.86 °C. The ANOVA analysis indicates hydrolysis efficiency requires precise temperature control and lactic acid concentration to obtain high crystalline cellulose at high production yield. The NCs displayed rod-shaped morphology with 29.65 ± 3 nm diameter and 335.19 ± 10 nm length, with a negative zeta potential and higher thermal stability than the cellulose. NCs addition as filler in seaweed biofilm improved the tensile strength but reduced the elongation at break. The biofilm exhibits excellent properties in reducing water adsorption, solubility, and water permeability by increasing nanocellulose filler.

Potential use of pepper waste and microalgae Spirulina sp. for bioelectricity generation

The research aimed to generate bioelectricity using pepper waste and the microalgae Spirulina sp by a double-chamber microbial fuel cell (dcMFC). A dcMFC was constructed with Cu and Zn electrodes, where organic waste and microalgae were placed in the anodic and cathodic chambers, respectively. Also, electrochemical parameters were measured for 35 days. Finally, possible electrogenic microorganisms were isolated and identified. It was possible to generate maximum values of current (6.04414 ± 0.2145 mA) and voltage (0.77328 ± 0.213 V). The maximum conductivity value was 134.1636 ± 7.121 mS/cm, while the internal resistance value was 83.784 ±7.147Ω. The values of power and current density reached were 584.45 ± 19.14 mW/cm 2 and 5.983 A/cm 2, respectively. The optimal operating pH was 4.59 ± 0.14. From the microbial growth on the anode, the yeast Yarrowia phangngaensis (1) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (2) were identified, which may be involved in the transfer of electrons to the electrode. In conclusion, it was possible to generate clean energy in a laboratory-scale dcMFC when pepper waste and Spirulina sp. were used. These results are promising because organic waste can generate sustainable and environmentally friendly energy.

Storage Stability of Seed Oils Extracted form Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Waste by a Green Approach

The present study is aimed to examine and compare the storage stability of seed kils extracted form red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) waste by green techniques (cold pressing, ethanol solvent, and ultrasound-assisted ethanol solvent extraction). In accordance with this purpose, the oil samples were stored for a period of 6 weeks at 60°C under accelerated conditions and analyzed at weekly intervals for peroxide, conjugated diene-triene values tok follow their oxidation stability. It was observed that the peroxide, oxidative induction time, conjugated diene, and triene values of seed kils were significantly influenced by the extraction processes (p

Pretreatment and Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Biogas Production Reactions in Pepper Waste and Pig Manure

The circular economy is based on using waste generated from any process to obtain products with zero residues’ criteria. This research was focused on pepper waste from the polyphenolic extraction method. Pepper waste was evaluated in batch and semi-continuous regime anaerobic digestion, adding, as catalysts, absorbent nanoparticles and/or using pretreatment strategies. The best methane yields were obtained from SB1 (assay without pretreatment in pepper waste): 464 ± 25 NL kg VS−1 for batch assays; and from period II (1.47 g VS L−1 d−1) of S2 (assay of pig manure and pepper waste with thermal pretreatment): 160 NL/kg VS−1 for semi-continuous experiments. However, a kinetic study showed a methane production rate higher for SB2 (assay with nanoparticles as catalyst) than SB1 in batch assays.

Effect of Fruit Weight and Fruit Locule Number in Bell Pepper on Industrial Waste and Quality of Roasted Pepper

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide, shows great differences between its diverse varieties. These differences affect the fruit type, size and shape. Food preservation techniques prolong the availability of sweet pepper. Roasted pepper is a product marketed with the European recognition of Protected Geographical Indication ‘Pimiento Asado del Bierzo’. The objective of this work was to analyse the effect of the fruit weight and fruit locule number of the industrial fresh pepper on quality and roasted pepper yield. Large trilocular fruits and large tetralocular fruits reached higher roast yield and uniformity than small trilocular fruits. Regardless of fruit locule number and fruit weight, the overall quality of all the samples of roasted pepper was categorised as very good. Large tetralocular and large trilocular fruits are the most appropriate peppers for industrial purposes, whereas small trilocular fruits should be intended for the fresh product market. This easy method of sorting bell pepper fruit attending to fruit weight will decrease the amount of pepper waste in the industrial roasting process (around 18%), while maintaining the high overall quality of the final product. Moreover, the faster peeling of large peppers will also contribute to increasing the productivity of the industrial processing of roasted pepper.

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using polyphenol extracts from pepper waste (Capsicum annuum)

The nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis poses an environmental problem: the formation of other toxic substances. An eco-friendlier alternative method based on the use of polyphenolic extracts is gaining interest due to their potential to reduce metal salts for the formation of NPs without toxic products. Thus, the main objective of this work was to obtain zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs from pepper extracts rich in polyphenols. To this end, the polyphenol extraction process was set-up using a response surface analysis of the different parameters involved (i.e. temperature, extraction time, amount of pepper and solvent used, type of solvent and part of the pepper used -whole fruit, pulp or waste-) in terms of total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The optimal extracts were used to synthesize ZnO NPs by colloidal precipitation, which were further characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and antioxidant activity tests. In addition, the green NPs were compared with those obtained from chemical reagents. The green synthesized NPs were purer (100 and 88% ZnO content for green and chemical NPs) and smaller (24–43 and 35–70 nm for green and chemical NPs). The results show the great potential of pepper polyphenol extracts to obtain ZnO NPs by a green synthesis, being a great contribution to environmental sustainability.

Uniform rod and spherical nanocrystalline celluloses from hydrolysis of industrial pepper waste (Piper nigrum L.) using organic acid and inorganic acid

Conversion of lignocellulosic biowastes from agricultural industry into nanocrystalline cellulose provides pathway to reduce environmental pollution while enhancing the economic value of biowastes. Nanocellulose (NCC) with uniform morphology was isolated from pepper (Piper nigrum L.) stalk waste (PW) using acid hydrolysis method. The role of inorganic acids (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid), organic acids (oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid) and variation of sonication times were investigated on the physicochemical characteristics, self-assembled structure, crystallinity, particle size, zeta potential and thermal stability of the isolated nanocellulose. Hydrolysis using inorganic acids transformed cellulose from PW into a spherical shaped NCC at ~33–67 nm of average diameter. Meanwhile hydrolysis in organic acids produced rod-shaped NCC at 210–321 nm in length. This study highlighted the role of acidity strength for organic acid and inorganic acid in controlling the level of hydrogen bond dissociation and the dissolution of amorphous fragments, which consequently directing the morphology and the physicochemical properties of NCCs.

Role of proteins and soluble peptides as limiting components during the co-composting of agro-industrial wastes

The agri-food industry is at the centre of the circular economy, since the co-composting of its residual flows allows their management and adds value producing fertilisers. In this work, six composting piles were prepared combining agri-food sludge (AS), different fresh vegetable wastes (pepper waste (P), tomato waste (T), and leek waste (L), and, as bulking agents, vine shoot pruning (VS), garlic stalks (GS) and avocado leaves (AL)). Classical physico-chemical and chemical determinations and advanced instrumental methods (excitation-emission fluorescence (EEM) and gravimetric (TG, DTG and DTA) techniques) were used and compared to assess organic matter evolution and evaluate the quality of the composts obtained. The thermal profiles of the composting processes were viable to show the stabilization of the agri-food sludge with the different materials tested in the mixtures, reaching adequate levels of stabilization of organic matter. Preferential degradation of peptides and proteins was observed by fluorescence. This seemed to induce a limitation in the biodegradation of the remaining organic matter, indicating that these biomolecules are key in composting dynamics, acting as limiting components during the process. The results from thermogravimetric analysis indicated the degradation of labile compounds (e.g., carbohydrates and proteins), the most recalcitrant material becoming predominant at the maturity stage of the composting process. The rise in the thermogravimetric parameter R2 was associated with the increase in the concentration of more refracting compounds, which need more energy for their decomposition.

Techno-economic evaluation of anaerobic co-digestion of pepper waste and swine manure

Techno-economic evaluation of anaerobic co-digestion of pepper waste and swine manure

Phytochemical Analysis and Determination of the Chemical Composition of Larvicidal Extracts of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Waste: An Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment

A laboratory experiment was developed to introduce undergraduate chemistry students to the chemical characterization of agroindustrial waste extracts by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The students prepared hexane and dichloromethane extracts from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) waste. GC–MS analysis revealed the possible presence of sesquiterpenes and piperine, compounds commonly found in P. nigrum fruits. During postlab discussion, the students were encouraged to search for information about the biological properties of the putatively identified compounds. Most students found that piperine shows larvicidal activity. Thus, an experiment was conducted by a postgraduate research group to investigate the larvicidal potential of P. nigrum waste extracts. From the results, the students concluded that the hexane extract had higher larvicidal activity than the dichloromethane extract. We also provided students with the opportunity to identify piperine using (+)-APCI FT-ICR MS spectra. The proposed experiment helped students to learn and practice GC–MS and stimulated them to search the scientific literature for solutions to environmental problems.

Recovery of Capsaicinoids and Other Phytochemicals Involved With TRPV-1 Receptor to Re-valorize Chili Pepper Waste and Produce Nutraceuticals

The hot chili pepper industry represents one of the most important staple foods in Mexico and many Asian countries. Nowadays, large amounts of waste materials are produced from the pepper supply chain that could be used as a source to obtain nutraceuticals. Among the most common and important bioactive compounds contained in pepper residues are the capsaicinoids, which are the responsible of the pungency of the pepper. Capsaicinoids, mainly capsaicin, may ameliorate obesity, gastric disorder, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rhinitis, asthma, immune system diseases, and important viral diseases as the recent COVID-19. The aim of this review is to review the industrial process for the extraction of capsaicinoids ingredients from pepper residues and to examine the relation of the capsaicin and other chili pepper phytochemicals to prevent and treat chronic diseases explained through the key role of the TRPV1 receptor. The extraction and incorporation of these compounds into nutraceutical formulations depend mainly on the development of new methods to improve not only the yield of a particular compound but the validation of the bioactivity and phytochemical characterization.

Liquid Hot Water Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis as a Valorization Route of Italian Green Pepper Waste to Delivery Free Sugars.

In this work, liquid hot water pretreatment (autohydrolysis) was used to improve enzymatic hydrolysis of a commonly consumed vegetable waste in Spain, Italian green pepper, to finally produce fermentable sugars. Firstly, the effect of temperature and contact time on sugar recovery during pretreatment (in insoluble solid and liquid fraction) was studied in detail. Then, enzymatic hydrolysis using commercial cellulase was performed with the insoluble solid resulting from pretreatment. The objective was to compare results with and without pretreatment. The results showed that the pretreatment step was effective to facilitate the sugars release in enzymatic hydrolysis, increasing the global sugar yield. This was especially notable when pretreatment was carried out at 180 °C for 40 min for glucose yields. In these conditions a global glucose yield of 61.02% was obtained. In addition, very low concentrations of phenolic compounds (ranging from 69.12 to 82.24 mg/L) were found in the liquid fraction from enzymatic hydrolysis, decreasing the possibility of fermentation inhibition produced by these components. Results showed that Italian green pepper is an interesting feedstock to obtain free sugars and prevent the enormous quantity of this food waste discarded annually.

Arecanut husk: A potential feedstock for enhanced production of endoglucanase by Bacillus subtilis MU S1

Abstract The wide range of application of endoglucanase, especially in lignocellulosic bioethanol production has encouraged extensive studies on these enzymes. However, the expensive nature of the enzyme is the prime impediment which limits its widespread use. The use of cheap substrates to replace synthetic ones is one way to reduce the cost. This study examines the prospects of endoglucanase production by Bacillus subtilis MU S1 using five agricultural wastes as carbon source. The agro-wastes namely arecanut husk, banana peduncle, jackfruit outer rind, pepper waste and tamarind husk were screened to check their suitability as carbon source for enzyme production. Among the different agro-wastes, arecanut husk gave the highest endoglucanase activity (328.8 ± 5.2 U/ml). The potential of this medium for the production of various cellulolytic enzymes was investigated. The strain showed simultaneous extracellular secretion of the enzymes tested. To enhance endoglucanase production the arecanut husk medium was optimized via statistical methods. Using Plackett–Burman design three variables namely yeast extract, Na2HPO4 and inoculum size showing positive effect on endoglucanase production were selected. The optimal values of these components were ascertained using central composite design. Endoglucanase activity of 713.62 U/ml was achieved using the optimized medium containing, 1% arecanut husk, 8.38 g/l yeast extract, 0.88 g/l Na2HPO4 and 2.05% inoculum. Optimization of arecanut husk medium led to a 2.2 fold increase in endoglucanase activity. This work reveals the successful exploitation of arecanut husk for cost-effective production of endoglucanase.

The effects of dietary hot pepper Capsicum annuum waste powder supplementation on egg production traits of Japanese quail layers

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) waste supplementation on egg production performance and quality in Japanese quail hens (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 192, seven-week-old Japanese quail layers were divided into 4 treatment groups of similar mean weight (304±0.5 g), each comprising 12 subgroups (including 1 male and 3 females). Treatment birds were fed on experimental basal layer diet supplemented with 1, 2 or 4 g hot pepper waste powder (HPWP) per kg diet. The laying performance was determined by recording feed intake, egg weight, daily egg production, and biweekly egg quality. Results showed that HPWP supplementation to layer diet did not have any significant (P>0.05) effects on body weight and feed conversion ratio, while it had significant effects on feed intake (P<0.01), and laying egg weight, average egg weight, total egg yield (P<0.05). A 2 g HPWP supplementation resulted in the highest total egg yield (P<0.05) with quadratic effects on egg shape index (P<0.05) and albumen pH (P<0.01). According to the values in the study, the egg shape index of 2 g HPWP group was circular and; therefore, attractive to consumers. We highly recommend the non-economic value of 2 g/kg supplementation of hot pepper waste powder, especially for egg production. To conclude, HPWP can be used for quail layer diets due to its beneficial effects on egg quality since it is an economic and easy agricultural by-product obtained from red pepper paste industry waste.