Utilization of Carob Waste and Circular Economy
When carob is processed, gum is obtained from the kernel, flour, molasses or sugar syrup is obtained from the fruit flesh; each of these processes leaves behind by-products such as pulp, seed shell and germ. The circular economy approach aims to evaluate these streams as raw materials for new products instead of being seen as waste.
Read MoreBioplastic and New Materials from Carob
The search for alternatives to fossil-based plastics makes plant raw materials valuable again in terms of materials science. Carob is a remarkable plant in this respect: The gum obtained from its seed is a natural polymer, the fruit flesh is a raw material rich in sugar, and the by-products produced during processing are a source of fiber and tannins. These components; It is being investigated in areas such as coatings, adhesives, hydrogels and biofuels.
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Bioethanol and Fermentation Products from Carob
The fleshy part of the carob fruit contains up to half of its dry weight in sugar. This high and easily extractable sugar content makes carob an interesting raw material not only for food, but also for industrial fermentation. In the last three decades, numerous studies have been carried out to obtain different fermentation products from carob, especially bioethanol, citric acid, lactic acid and mannitol.
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