ECONOMIC VALORIZATION OF NUTMEG FRUIT FLESH VIA PECTIN AND ESSENTIAL OIL RECOVERY

Background: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) fruit flesh is the largest fraction of the fruit but remains economically underutilized relative to the seed and mace, creating a substantial biomass stream with potential for higher-value recovery. Aims: This study estimated the gross economic value that could theoretically be generated from nutmeg fruit flesh through pectin and essential-oil recovery and examined the implications of a cascading valorization strategy. Methodology: A literature-based secondary data analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, government statistics, trade data, and market-price observations available through September 2026. A mass-balance model used 1,000 kg of fresh mature nutmeg fruit as the functional basis. The flesh fraction was set at 77.8%, pectin yield at 2.588% on a wet basis, and essential-oil yield at 0.71-0.73%. Gross product value was estimated from reference prices and trade unit values; capital expenditure, operating costs, industrial recovery losses, certification, waste treatment, and marketing costs were excluded. Results/Findings: One tonne of fresh fruit provides approximately 778 kg of fruit flesh, corresponding theoretically to 20.13 kg of pectin and 5.52-5.68 kg of essential oil. At the reference prices used, pectin generated a gross value of approximately IDR 2.32-5.13 million per tonne of fresh fruit, while essential oil generated approximately IDR 5.30-8.48 million. A theoretical sequential-recovery scenario produced a combined upper-bound gross product value of IDR 7.62-13.61 million, with a midpoint of approximately IDR 10.60 million per tonne. Conclusion: Nutmeg fruit flesh has credible potential to shift from a low-value by-product to an industrial feedstock for pectin and essential oil recovery. However, the combined value is exploratory rather than a profitability estimate and requires validation through sequential extraction, product-quality testing, techno-economic analysis, and life-cycle assessment before investment decisions are made.