Chemical and Microstructural Characterization of Vanilla Waste Compounds (Vanilla planifolia, Jackson) Using Eco-Friendly Technology

Vanilla is one flavoring of worldwide importance, its production demands time from sowing and also an economic investment, thus resulting the processed vanilla obtained as extracts with a yield of 3–5% and the remaining is deemed as waste. However, waste may be used to generate added-value products. Objective of this research was to chemically and microstructurally identify and evaluate the main components of vanilla wastes using green technologies. For such purpose, an enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out separating components which may be employed through biotechnological processes. The presence of monosaccharides was identified in hydrolyzed fraction (HF) and non-hydrolyzed fraction (NHF) by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Microstructural characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) identified that fraction A constituted by pectin and free sugars is mainly located in internal tissues, lignin-rich D fraction was found in external structures. This work led to a chemical and structural analysis of vanilla beans waste as utilization component and to evaluate the use of enzymes. Further demonstrated is the advantage of enzyme use and their components due to their efficacy and selectivity, as well as the use of environmentally friendly reagents generating an alternative for using referred methodologies towards sustainable development. The identified compounds in vanilla waste hydrolyzed fractions, are within the polymers used as wall material for bioactive compound encapsulation in pharmaceutical, food and fragrances industries, as well as in energy sector for biofuel, production and biosorption of toxic metals in water treatment. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].