Minimization of residues of soluble coffee processing by reuse of spent coffee grounds in oil extraction with a renewable solvent

Author(s)

Tatiane Akemi Toda

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Zootecnica e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZE/BT)
• Defense date: 2016-03-04

Examining board members

Christianne Elisabete da Costa Rodrigues; Eliana Setsuko Kamimura; Javier Telis Romero

• Advisor: Christianne Elisabete da Costa Rodrigues

Abstract

Spent coffee grounds are the main residues of the soluble coffee industry, which are generated after the extraction of soluble solids with water. They are generally burned in boilers to generate energy for the coffee industry. However, this residue may contain 15 to 20 % oil, a component of interest to the food industry. Hexane is the most common solvent used in the vegetable oil industry; however, as it is a fossil fuel byproduct, biotechnology alternatives that replace it by more environmental-friendly solvents are being studied. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine technical viability of alcoholic solvents in oil extraction of spent coffee grounds. Solid-liquid extractions were carried out in one stage in order to analyzed the influence of the variables of the process (temperature, 60 to 90 °C; type of solvent, ethanol, ET or isopropanol, IPA; and solvent hydration level, absolute or azeotropic degree) in the characteristics of extract and raffinate phases, in terms of yield of oil extraction, chlorogenic acids (CGA), total carbohydrates, protein content, and nitrogen solubility index (NSI) of the raffinate phase. Enzymatic pre-treatment in the extraction process was also carried out to assess its effect on the oil and CGA yields, as well as NSI in the raffinate phase obtained at 70 °C. In general, it could be inferred that temperature favored lipid extraction, but solvent hydration level negatively affected extraction due to the increased polarity of the solvent. Similarly, as ET is more polar than IPA, the former solvent enabled lower yield of oil. The temperature of the process also influenced CGA extraction, which was favored by lower temperatures and increased solvent polarity. Therefore, at 60 °C, in the trials using azeotropic ethanol, oil extraction yield was lower, and CGA yield was greater. Enzymatic pre-treatment showed significant differences in the characteristics of the extract and raffinate phases. However, only the trials with absolute ethanol led to economically viable oil yields. In fact, further studies on pre-treatment variables of the enzymatic treatment should be carried out for more relevant results in relation to lipid compound extraction. Given the experimental data obtained here, it was concluded that the use of alcoholic solvents in oil extraction of spent coffee grounds is technically viable. However, the conditions of the process should be carefully analyzed for high yields of oil with greater levels of CGA to be obtained. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/25142-2 - Minimization of the soluble coffee processing waste through the reutilization of the grounds in oil extraction using renewable solvent
• Grantee: Tatiane Akemi Toda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master