Minerals in cocoa by-products from Adolfo-SP region

Brazil stands out globally in cocoa cultivation, although its production has been concentrated in the North and Northeast regions. The recent expansion of cocoa farming to the state of São Paulo highlights the need for technological utilization of its by-products, such as the husk and the placenta, by the food and pharmaceutical industries, adding value to the local farmer's production chain. In this context, characterizing the mineral profile of these residues becomes essential to demonstrate their potential for industrial application and commercial valorization. This study aimed to determine nine mineral components (Ca, Cu, Fe, P, Mg, Mn, K, Na, and Zn) in by-products, placenta and husk, of the PS 1319 and CCN 51 cocoa varieties, cultivated in the city of Adolfo-SP, using Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Dry ashing method (muffle furnace at 450°C) was used for sample treatment and mineral composition was analyzed by ICP OES. Among studied minerals, potassium presented the highest concentrations, with CCN 51 variety presenting the highest levels of K in both the husk and the placenta. The macro- and microminerals of the cocoa husk from the PS 1319 and CCN 51 varieties showed levels (mg/100g) of K (488 and 568), Ca (34 and 54), Mg (25 and 24), P (21 and 16), Mn (0.68 and 0.64), Fe (0.26 and 0.23), Zn (0.59 and 0.49), Na (0.21 and 0.53) and Cu (0.033 and 0.028). The cocoa placentas of the PS 1319 and CCN 51 varieties, in turn, exhibited levels (mg/100g) of K (242 and 364), Ca (21.6 and 30.4), Mg (14.8 and 27.5), P (12.2 and 29.,8), Mn (0.176 and 0.26), Fe (0.58 and 0.98), Zn (0.25 and 0.55), Na (0.62 and 0.40) and Cu (0.14 and 0.21). The results reveal the presence of several relevant inorganic elements in the studied by-products, confirming cocoa husk and placenta as promising raw materials for valorization, with a mineral composition of interest for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Acknowledgments: CNPq (master’s scholarship, A.C.T. Amaro- 131495/2026-7); Capes (cod 001), Fapesp (2025/06909-8) and FINEP (1310/24 and 1050/24).