Pachira aquatica fruits shells valorization: renewables phenolics through analytical pyrolysis study (Py-GC/MS)

Abstract

This research valorized Pachira aquatica Aubl.’s fruit shells (PAS) through its energetic characterization and flash pyrolysis for biofuels or chemicals production. The characterization was performed through proximate and ultimate analysis, bulk density, higher heating value (HHV), hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin content, thermogravimetric analysis and absorption spectra in the infrared region obtained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technique (FTIR). The analytical flash pyrolysis was performed at 500°C in a Py-5200 HP-R coupled to a gas chromatograph (Py-GC/MS). The PAS biomass presents potential for thermochemical energy conversion processes due to its low moisture and ash content, 76.90% of volatile matter, bulk density of 252.6 kg/m3 and HHV of 16.24 MJ/kg. Flash pyrolysis products are mostly phenols or light organic acids derived from the decomposition of polysaccharides. Results confirmed the potential of PAS to produce bio-phenolics, such as 4-methoxyphenol which is an important active ingredient for skin depigmentation used in drugs and cosmetics, and as phenolic extract that can be used as a precursor to resins, applications that convert this forest waste into bio products for industry into a green circular economy.

Valorization of Wood Residues from Vegetation Suppression during Wind Energy Plant Implementation and Its Potential for Renewable Phenolic Compounds through Flash Pyrolysis: A Case Study in Northeast Brazil’s Semi-Arid Region

“…The proximate analysis of each wood residue was determined gravimetrically using a muffle furnace model 7000 (EDG Equipamentos, São Carlos, Brazil) to ascertain the mass percentages of inherent moisture, volatile matter, and inorganic matter (ash) based on the ASTM standard methods E871-82 [27], E872-82 [28], and E1755-01 [29], respectively. The fixed carbon content was determined through mass balance, computed as the difference between 100 wt.% and the sum of mass percentages of inherent moisture, volatile matter, and ash [30]. The mass percentages of cellulose and hemicellulose were determined through acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) tests, as per the methodology described by Van Soest et al [31], with minor modifications.…”

“…The mass percentages of cellulose and hemicellulose were determined through acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) tests, as per the methodology described by Van Soest et al [31], with minor modifications. The determination of the mass percentage of lignin was carried out following the Klason method [30]. Determining bulk density (or bulk-specific weight) for each wood residue involved measuring the mass of the sample occupying a predefined volume within a graduated cylinder, following the standard method outlined in ASTM E873-82 [32].…”

“…Determining bulk density (or bulk-specific weight) for each wood residue involved measuring the mass of the sample occupying a predefined volume within a graduated cylinder, following the standard method outlined in ASTM E873-82 [32]. The determination of the higher heating value (HHV) for each wood residue was conducted using an automatic isoperibol calorimeter model 6400 (Parr Instrument Company, Moline, IL, USA), following the standard method outlined in ASTM E711 [30]. The thermal decomposition behavior of each wood residue was conducted utilizing a Q500 thermogravimetric analyzer (TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA) under the following operational parameters: atmospheric pressure, a nitrogen gas flow rate of 50 mL min −1 (with 99.999% purity), an approximate sample mass of 10 mg, an employed heating rate of 10 • C min −1 , and a temperature range for the reaction from 30 to 900 • C. The chemical composition of inorganic matter (ash) derived from each wood residue was determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy with a spectrometer model EDX-720 (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan).…”

“…The GC operated in split mode with a 1:50 ratio, utilizing a split injector at an inlet port temperature of 300 • C. The chromatographic column's heating procedure for separating volatile reaction products comprised the following: (i) holding at an initial temperature of 40 • C for 2 min; and (ii) subsequently ramping the temperature to 280 • C at a rate of 10 • C min −1 , with a 10 min hold. The operational parameters utilized in the Py-GC/MS setup were delineated in accordance with a document previously published by the LabTam/UFRN research team [30]. The identification of condensable volatile products was achieved through a comparison of their mass spectra with those in the NIST Mass Spectral library, with a focus on analyzing spectral similarity and assessing a similarity criterion that needed to exceed 85%.…”

Biosorption of nickel and cadmium using Pachira aquatica Aubl. peel Biochar

“…Biosorption is a treatment that allows the use of agro-industrial waste biomass, using lignocellulosic materials as biosorbents. These materials have some characteristics that include: the existence of different functional groups such as alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and phenols, that are present in the pores and/or on the surface of the adsorbent and affect their reactivity; high carbon content, which gives the material ideal hydrophobic characteristics for removal of oils and hydrocarbons; and controlled apparent density, to avoid its sedimentation at the bottom (RUTHVEN 1985) A study by Correia et al, (2022) (Correia et al 2022) showed that Pachira aquatica Aubl. (PA), popularly known as monguba, munguba, castanheira-do-Maranhão, or cacau selvagem, has several characteristics cited as important for the biosorption process.…”