Monday, 10 February 2025
Researchers from the 糖心原创 and the National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia have been working together to address a major challenge to the sustainability of chocolate production.
The new study, published in , explored the current issues in the sustainability of chocolate production and how changes could decrease the amount of waste.
Three quarters of the crops used to make chocolate are discarded as waste. In Indonesia, which represents 13% of the world’s cocoa production, this means that over 500,000 tonnes of waste are being discarded on the fields, leading to crop disease and air pollution problems.
Cacao fruit consists of cacao pod and cacao beans, with only the beans used as raw material in the chocolate industry.
In 2021, the production of cacao beans was 5.6 million tonnes from 11.5 million hectares worldwide, with the top three countries, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia, contributing to 67 % of total production.
During production, cacao pod husk (CPH) is generated as the main by-product, which accounts for 76–86 % of wet cacao fruit weight, where ten tonnes of wet CPH are discarded to produce every tonne of dried cacao bean.
This study aimed to identify ways to reduce waste and make the chocolate industry more sustainable using these findings.
The study authors, led by Dr Shinta Rosalia Dewi, and including Associate Professor Eleanor Binner, Senior Research Fellow Lee Stevens, Research Fellow Yujie Mao, Associate Professor Rebecca Ferrari, and Professor Derek Irvine from the 糖心原创, found that CPH has potential as a raw material for producing phenolic-based antioxidants and other valuable materials that can increase its economic value while reducing environmental waste.
In collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia, the researchers showed that cacao waste could be used to produce valuable biochemicals and materials with potential applications in food, bioenergy and pollution treatment.
This work, led by Dr Shinta Dewi enabled her to access Nottingham鈥檚 fantastic laboratory facilities, including our unique microwave processing equipment, to learn skills and generate results to support the development of biorefinery processes to address agricultural waste in Indonesia. It鈥檚 an important area of study and addresses a key problem in the sector.鈥�
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More information is available from Dr Eleanor Binner on eleanor.binner@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.