Optimization of furfural extraction from Theobrama cacao wastes using response surface methodology

Cacao farming in the Philippines is continually expanding due to an influx of government support and funding. Although a comprehensive development program was implemented, the large volume of cacao biomass waste generated annually remains underutilized. In an attempt to provide a means of reusing this waste, we test the extent to which furfural can be extracted from cacao pod wastes. A box-behnken experimental design was used to obtain the optimal conditions in the acid-catalyzed extraction of crude furfural. Extraction time (min), hydrochloric acid concentration (M), and amount of sodium chloride (g) were found to have a significant influence on the extraction yield of crude furfural. Actual values of these independent variables were chosen on the basis of preliminary experimental results. Optimum conditions using ridge analysis were found to be: extraction time 35.0 min, hydrochloric acid concentration 5.0 M, and amount of sodium chloride 7.0 g. Furfural extraction was also performed at optimum conditions to assess the validity of the empirical model. In conclusion, the high furfural extraction yield obtained in our experiments presents an opportunity to harness these unregulated wastes in producing high quality products.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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