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A review on the valorization of coconut shell waste

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Abstract

Green coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) are commonly consumed for coconut water and their shells are discarded as household waste. These shells are the potential constituents for valorization. The husk of the green coconut contains fiber and pith material which are rich in phenols and other functional components. Coconut shells are a carbon-rich, environmentally friendly solid fuel, making them a viable alternative energy source. According to studies, coconut shells are a valuable source of phytochemicals, most of which can be converted into value-added products. We herein review this conversion process and provide an outline of the chemical composition of green coconut shells. The possible value-added by-products are beneficial due to their high content of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The compounds present in the shell can be utilized by many industries as a natural and economical source of phytochemicals, fibers, bio-fuels, absorbents, bio-ethanol, etc. Keeping in view these points, it is obvious that the green coconut shell has a wide variety of applications, and thus developing an efficient system to utilize the green coconut shell adequately will help to completely utilize its potential benefits. This review aims to highlight the potential of coconut and its by-product valorization in the food industry sector.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to Integral University Lucknow for providing the necessary support.

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  1. Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow, U.P. 226026, India

    Poornima Singh, Kaiser Younis & Owais Yousuf

  2. Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, 226026, India

    Priyanka Dubey

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Owais Yousuf and Priyanka Dubey designed and structure the review; Poornima Singh and Priyanka Dubey wrote the review; Owais Yousuf and Kaiser Younis did the critical review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Owais Yousuf.

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Singh, P., Dubey, P., Younis, K. et al. A review on the valorization of coconut shell waste. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 14, 8115–8125 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-03001-2

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