Optimizing furfural production from tropical almond fruit seedcake via acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and dehydration: Sustainable valorization of agrowaste
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Utilizing renewable biological resources (biomass) to produce energy and biochemicals is increasingly ratified and recognized as a sustainable strategy in agrowaste valorization. This study focuses on the conversion of tropical almond fruit seedcake into furfural, a valuable bio-based chemical. Furfural production was achieved through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and dehydration processes, with optimization conducted using response surface methodology. An optimal conditions for furfural yield were determined to be 160 °C reaction temperature, 53.82 minutes reaction time, and 7.50% acid concentration, resulting in a maximum yield of 75.50%. Characterization of the obtained furfural was performed using Fourier-transform infrared and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) spectroscopic techniques, revealing the presence of the conjugated carbonyl (C = O) group at 1,669 cm-1 and aldehyde functionality at 3,134 cm-1 and 2,812 cm-1. GC-MS confirmed the molecular weight (96.10 g/mol) and empirical formula (C5H4O2) of the furfural product. This research highlights the potential of tropical almond fruit seedcake as a sustainable feedstock for furfural production, contributing to the advancement of biomass conversion technologies.
Authors: Ali Agaka Aremu, Moshood Abiola Haruna, Aisha Hamza, Abdullahi Lawal, Mu’azu Ibrahim
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410130395