Pectin production

Yair Nino QuinteroLuisa Fernanda Salas Higuita Pablo Montoya Granada

Pectin production from orange peel residues

Orange is one of the fruits consumed in high quantities around the world, representing 10.5% of fruit production, which by 2022 was equivalent to 70 million tons, used for the production of juices, essential oils, jams and pulps, among others.

Orange production and consumption

For Colombia, oranges occupy the second place in national citrus production with 456,031 tons, whose production is concentrated in 6 main zones (West, Atlantic, Central, East, South and Eastern Plains). The western zone and in particular the southwest of Antioquia concentrates the largest production with 271,637 tons.

Production in Colombia

According to the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets set in accordance with them, the high production and consumption of oranges is a challenge for goals 6 and 12, since only 50% is transformed into product, leaving 50% waste, which is poorly used and managed in its final disposal, causing environmental and health implications, which, in turn, presents an irresponsible consumption and production.

Sustainable Development Goals

The organic waste of oranges such as the peel or pulp is the cause of several environmental impacts as it does not have a purpose for them, some of the impacts are:

• Generation of leachate
• Bad smells
• greenhouse gas emissions
• Vector proliferation

Problems caused by orange waste

Pectin molecule with Methoxyl groups

Production of value-added composites

Bio-oil

Organic fertilizer

Uses of orange waste

Pectin is a polysaccharide found in fruits used as an additive in the food industry, pharmaceuticals, etc., with a demand of 30,000 tons worldwide (Rezzadori et al., 2012).

Production of pectin as a solution to organic wastes

Creation of new sources of work

Reducing food losses and waste

Reduction of the amount of waste

Benefits

Thank you for your attention!