Evaluación de Alternativas de Aprovechamiento Energético y Bioactivo de la Cáscara de Plátano

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate by simulation two alternatives for the use of green plantain peel for the generation of electric energy and for obtaining polyphenolic compounds. The technical, economic and environmental feasibility of the processes was determined; the simulation was fed with experimental data obtained in the characterization of banana peel with respect to its proximal, elementary, structural, thermogravimetric analysis, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. It was found that the shell can be used for the generation of energy at low cost and with a process that is environmentally viable; in the extraction of phenolic compounds the process without energy use is economically viable, while the process with energy use is economically and environmentally viable, for a period greater than 10 years. It is concluded that the process of obtaining phenolic compounds with energy integration is recommended as an alternative for the use of banana peel.