Valorization of pineapple processing wastes by integrated biorefinery processes

Thailand is one of the world’s top 5 pineapple producer and exporter to the global market with the annual production of >2.5 M tons which is linked to processing industry for canned pineapple and pineapple juice as well as for pineapple fiber which has a rapid growing market. This led to generation of various forms of byproducts and wastes from the harvesting and processing steps with the accumulated amount of >1 M tons per year, which are mostly underused and led to cost in their management and disposal. This results in limitation of the alliance private sector on expanding market of the pineapple fiber products. Pineapplie wastes are potent raw materials for production of a variety of value-added products, including bromelain, a protease mixture which has a wide applications in food, personalcare, and medical sectors. In addition, pineapple wastes are considered a rich sources of various bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids which have antioxidant, anti-aging related to inhibition of specific enzyme activity and anti-microbial propeties with potent market as functional additive in healthcare products.In this project, we aim to valorize wastes from pineapple fiber processing (pineapple leaf waste) and also from pineapple processing industry (crown and peel) using “multiple value extraction” according integrated biorefiery concept. This project consist of (1) Extraction of bromelain by ultra-fine friction grinding technology and purification of the enzyme product (Sub-project 1) and (2) Isolation and fractionation and bioactive polyphenol-flavonoid compounds by comparing the solvent-based extraction and green supercrtical CO₂ processing as well as process up-scaling and preparation of the extract in microencapsulated form with biopolymers. The process and product prototype will be developed in this project together with closed collaboration with the partner industry. This project directly response to the national strategy on BCG economy and contributes to increased economic competitiveness of the alliance company by the establishment of new bioindustry related to valorization of existing underused renewable raw materials in the country which will benefit the pineapple processing industry and create impact to the agricultural sector along the economic value chain.