EXTRACTION OF LIGNIN FROM COCOA POD HUSK THEOBROMA CACAO)
Abstract
Cacao pods (Theobroma cacao L.) are an important commodity of economic value, as the seeds and beans are used in the manufacture of high-demand products such as cocoa powder, butter and chocolate. Cocoa bean processing generates large amounts of cocoa bean husks, which are discarded as waste (Alemawor et al., 2009). Cocoa pods account for 70-75% of the total weight of cocoa pods, with 700-750 kg of cocoa pods produced per tonne of cocoa pods (Cruz et al., 2012). In Malaysia, the total area of cocoa plantations exceeds 20,643 ha (Malaysia Koko Board, 2011). Therefore, it can be estimated that at least 320,000 kg of cocoa bean shells will be produced after processing. Traditionally, this organic waste is either shipped for treatment or sent to a landfill. These large amounts of cocoa kernel shells can yield large amounts of fibrous material suitable as an alternative resource, especially in the pulp and paper industry.
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