A Bio-refinery Approach from Pineapple in the Context of Non-Technified Crops: The Choco-Colombian Region

Abstract

A pineapple bio refinery that could be adapted to the geographical and cultural conditions of non-technified crops, i.e., the Choco-Colombia region is described. Some characteristics of the region such as the geographical conditions and the relative backwardness related to economic, social, cultural and infrastructure conditions, lead to a relatively high waste of harvested pineapple, with a negative economic and environmental impact. Such situation is also identified in several areas dedicated to pineapple cultivation all over the world, where the pineapple crop usually does not reach export quality and high amount of fruits could end up as wastes. This document initially presents a description of the main generalities of pineapple cultivation and its market. Then, some of the main products of pineapple and its residues are described. Finally, the peculiarities of pineapple cultivation in the Choco-Colombia region are presented and a possible scenario of pineapple biorefinery for that region is proposed. This contribution is expected to be an adequate review material for analysis and decision making in technical and economic feasibility studies to obtain various products from pineapple residues in non-technified crops, motivating both public and private sectors to invest and promote agro-industry initiatives from pineapple waste.