Polysaccharides from coffee processing residues: extraction, characterisation and application in the preparation of films and emulsions

Abstract

The limitation of environmental resources and the problems generated by the accumulation of waste motivate the reuse of residual biomass for the development of products of commercial or environmental interest. In this study, coffee pulp (Coffea arabica L.) was evaluated as a raw material for the industrial production of pectin. Other plant cell wall polymers present in the pulp and coffee wastewater from washing and pulping were also studied. After chemical and structural characterization, pectic fractions were used as raw material for the production of biodegradable films. The research is divided in 8 chapters throughout the thesis.