University of Alicante

Researchers have developed a sequential microwave-assisted process to extract high value-added compounds and synthesise selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles from cocoa husks. These compounds are very interesting for the development of nanotechnology and therefore have a high market value. In addition, other by-products are obtained that also have a high industrial applicability.

The process consists of a series of stages, which are described below:

1. Grinding of the cocoa husk.

2. Addition of an alkaline or acid solution, depending on whether zinc oxide or selenium nanoparticles are to be synthesised.

3. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), without the need to pre-treat the ground agri-food waste, to obtain a first extract rich in pectins or water-soluble proteins and other value-added compounds, as well as a solid lignocellulosic residue.

4. The solid lignocellulosic residue obtained above can be used as a metal adsorbent without prior treatment or as a dietary fibre.

5. The extract rich in pectins and proteins can be used as a reducing and stabilising agent for the synthesis of selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles, respectively.

6. In this way, zinc oxide nanoparticles with interstitial zinc with low particle size, high stability and high antioxidant properties are obtained.

7. In the case of selenium, a microwave-assisted synthesis and a hydrothermal treatment are carried out to obtain selenium-doped carbon quantum dots with low particle size, high stability and high antioxidant and fluorescent properties.

ADVANTAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGY

• Sustainable synthesis method that incorporates the principles of the circular economy by taking advantage of a waste product from the chocolate industry.

• It makes it possible to obtain metallic nanoparticles of high value for industry, such as selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles.

• The process is carried out in an aqueous medium, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents, which are common in this type of process.

• Significant reduction in nanoparticle production costs by increasing extraction yields, reducing the number of stages and requiring less energy.

• The process also makes it possible to obtain other multifunctional products with great potential, such as water-soluble proteins, pectin, antioxidants and lignocellulosic material.

• The nanoparticles obtained have a unique structure and an exceptional particle size, making them more interesting for industrial application than other structures obtained by other processes.

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The main innovation of the technology is its capacity to take advantage of a waste generated in large quantities by the chocolate industry and obtain multiple by-products with high added value. Among these, zinc oxide and selenium nanoparticles are of particular interest to the nanotechnology industry.

The process is substantially more interesting than the existing ones, as it is much more sustainable, has a lower production cost and the resulting products have more interesting properties.

The research group has optimised the extraction process and obtained a remarkable extraction yield. The process has been implemented at pilot plant scale and is ready for industrial scale-up and application in a production plant.

The technology is of direct application for chocolate production companies as it allows them to treat their waste and generate high added-value products.

It is also of interest to waste treatment companies and, in general, to chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, food, materials and cosmetics companies, as the products obtained are of great use in these industries.

In particular, selenium and zinc oxide nanoparticles are very interesting compounds for application in the nanotechnology industry.

Companies interested in acquiring this technology for commercial exploitation are sought:

• Patent licensing agreements.

• R&D project agreement (technical cooperation) to undertake projects related to the technology.

This technology is protected by a patent application. In this case, the processes for obtaining zinc oxide and selenium nanoparticles have been separated into two process patents:

• Patent title: "process for obtaining selenium-doped carbon quantum dots and a lignocellulosic solid fraction, and selenium-doped carbon quantum dots and lignocellulosic solid fraction obtained".

• Application number: P202330992

• Application date: 30/11/2023

• Patent title: "Process for obtaining zinc oxide metal nanoparticles with interstitial zinc and a lignocellulosic solid fraction, and zinc oxide with interstitial zinc and lignocellulosic solid fraction obtained".

• Application number: P202330993

• Application date: 30/11/2023