Application of non-volatile alternative solvents to create sustainable two-dimensional and integrated platforms for harnessing agro-industrial waste from jaboticaba and pomegranate fruits

Abstract

Strategies for the development of a more sustainable society are crucial to a promising future. The accelerated growth of the world population reflects directly in the increased demand for new inputs, raw materials, and food. In contrast, food waste is, nowadays a huge problem, which generates social vulnerability and environmental impacts in the sector. In this sense, and in accordance with the guidelines of global sustainability goals and the 12 principles of green chemistry, the present project aims to create new platforms for the use of agroindustrial wastes. In this work, we will apply the concepts of biorefinery and circular economy for the development of new products and bioprocesses from the waste of two fruits from São Paulo agriculture (jabuticaba and pomegranate), which display an important role in the economic sector of the region. We aim to apply non-volatile alternative solvents, such as ionic liquids, eutectic solvents, and supercritical fluids, to conduct an integrative extraction and analysis of their bioactive compounds and fractions of high biological and economic value. In addition, we propose the manufacture of alternative food-packaging materials using biopolymers, in order to discourage the use of synthetic congener materials, plastic and polypropylene. All products obtained (extracts, fractions and food-packaging) will be optimized not only by their economic and environmental aspects, but also with the objective of recovering and recycling the raw materials. This project is linked to the Young Researcher Project phase 2 entitled "Development of a two-dimensional extraction, separation and analysis system for the assessment of phytochemicals bioactivity", which has the technological support for the analyzes we propose in this project. This proposal intends to improve the state-of-the-art by unifying the sustainability of solvents and processes towards the recovery of wastes (integrated systems and alternative solvents). Therefore, with the implementation of this proposal, it will be possible to generate new strategies for the development of a more sustainable and economically active society.