Abstract
Brazil is one of the leading cocoa-producing countries worldwide, with the state of Bahia accounting for approximately 60 % of national production. Cocoa processing generates substantial amounts of residues, particularly pod husks and mucilage, which together represent a large fraction of the fruit mass and are rich in lignocellulosic components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin’s and minerals. Despite this potential, these residues remain underutilized in many producing regions. This study presents an exploratory literature review aimed at analysing technological routes for cocoa residue valorisation, with emphasis on biomass characteristics, technological readiness and sustainability aspects. A total of 56 studies were initially screened, from which 12 were selected for detailed analysis to support a more focused and structured discussion. The results show that cocoa residues can be converted through biochemical, thermochemical and extraction-based pathways, with performance strongly dependent on residue composition. Bioenergy routes such as anaerobic digestion and fermentation exhibit higher technological maturity, whereas processes such as pyrolysis and gasification remain at pilot or demonstration stages. Extraction-based approaches offer higher added value but are still limited in scale. Overall, the analysis indicates that current research is predominantly focused on isolated processes, with limited integration between conversion routes. In this context, integrated biorefinery approaches emerge as a more consistent strategy for improving resource efficiency and supporting the development of circular bioeconomy solutions in cocoa-producing regions such as Bahia.
