Valorization of Amazonian buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) semi-defatted residual cake as a circular economy strategy: A techno-economical analysis

Buriti ( Mauritia flexuosa ) is an oleaginous specie in Brazilian Amazonia and Cerrado regions. Its oil, still mainly extracted by small communities, is largely employed in local culinary but also in cosmetic/pharmaceutical large industries. The main residue obtained by its processing is a semi-defatted cake, whose residual oil can be extracted by solvents. This strategy, within circular economy (CE) framework, can expand its production while minimizing resulting environmental impacts. However, not only residues management but improvement of the entire production process is essential for sustainability and economic gains. Therefore, this work was aimed at evaluating valorization of the Buriti semi-defatted as a CE strategy performing a techno-economical assessment, based on a case study of local production facility in Amazon region. Cake’s oil extraction was experimentally evaluated by using ethanol as green alternative to organic solvents. Facility’s manufacturing process was evaluated from a CE perspective and an economic feasibility analysis of the new scenario was provided. Results showed that the remaining oil can be experimentally extracted from the Buriti cake, using anhydrous or 95 % hydrous ethanol, increasing oil production and producing a defatted cake rich in proteins and carbohydrates that can be used in high-value products. The evaluation of the processing plant showed that a complete CE perspective must also consider improvement of the oil quality, achieved by Good Harvesting and Preprocessing Practices, avoiding losses while improving sustainability. Introduction of the CE scenario is economically feasible over the ongoing practices in some processing and market conditions. Defatted cake sale, low Buriti prices, and recovery of ethanol were key to decreasing the minimum processing rate to venture’s feasibility. This work also highlights that public polices and technical support are essential to stimulate Brazilian bio-economies, generating local economic gains as well as environmental protection through sustainable exploitation of the biomes. • Buriti cake could be defatted using ethanol, producing high-quality oil. • Extraction produces a defatted cake for high-value products. • Good Harvesting and Production Practices allow avoiding oil losses. • Oil and cake sales and ethanol recovery enable new scenario’s feasibility.