An overview of cocoa nibs shell waste potential to achieve sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Abstract Around 40 cocoa industries were established in Indonesia, and about 400 thousand kg of cacao beans were used for end-product. Deforestation decreases the productivity of cocoa beans and increases greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, 80% of cocoa fruit also consists of pod, shell, and pulp, contributing to residual biomass increment in cocoa industries. Research on cocoa biomass potencies has been carried out in cocoa plantations and the cocoa industry. Cocoa shells have several chemical compounds that benefit agriculture products and environments, such as minerals and nutritional compositions. Cocoa Nibs Shell (CNS), one of the by-products of cocoa processing, wastes about 13% of its production. Therefore, this research aims to give an overview and determine the potential use of CNS waste in agriculture by analyzing the bioactive compound in CNS to add more value to cocoa waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the waste. The authors used X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to identify the bioactive compound in CNS. Subsequently, several bioactive compounds found in the XRF assay were P2O5, SO3, K2O, TiO2, MnO, Fe2O3, NiO, CuO, ZnO, Rb2O, SrO, BaO, Yb2O3, Re2O7. These bioactive compounds have a positive benefit in agriculture. MnO and Fe2O compounds are essential for fertilizer application. P2O5 and SO3 have potential benefits in crop protection. Moreover, CNS has a great characterization which is potential for biochar and bio-adsorbent on water irrigation treatment since it has carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen compounds. Those potencies are also essential to reduce industrial waste in cocoa and to achieve sustainability.