Analysis of Waste Material from Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Extruded Arabica Coffee Beans from a Bioeconomy Perspective

The growing demand for sustainable and innovative approaches to agro-industrial waste management has drawn particular attention to the coffee industry, one of Brazil's most prominent agricultural sectors. This study applied the biorefinery concept to defective coffee beans, unsuitable for direct consumption, using healthy coffee beans as a reference. Processes such as extrusion, oil extraction, and enzymatic hydrolysis were performed to recover carbohydrates. After hydrolysis, several analyses were performed, revealing significant differences in the nutritional parameters and bioactive compounds. These analyses were very important because they allowed the correct designation of the use of these residues. Approximately 60% of mannose and fructose were recovered in both types of beans. The hydrolyzed residues from defective and healthy beans maintained high protein (∼15%) and fiber content. The defective beans also showed significantly higher levels of free amino acids, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity, indicating the preservation of bioactive compounds. The results highlight the feasibility of using these residues in the development of functional products or nutritional supplements.