Cocoa cultivation is one of the fastest growing crops in the world, with an estimated production of 5024 million tons during the 2020–2021 harvest (Hernández-Mendoza et al., 2021). In this productive process, substantial residual biomass is generated in each of the links, such as husk, husk, placenta, leachates, among others, which cause environmental and phytosanitary problems, due to inadequate removal of the plantation and incineration that create environmental burdens, and that at the same time could be transformed into bioproducts with high added value (de Oliveira et al., 2022; Gallego et al., 2022; Ofori-Boateng & Lee, 2013; Vásquez et al., 2019).
Theobroma cacao L. pod husk (CPH) is the most abundant residue, representing 70 to 80% of the dry weight of the fruit; for each ton of beans, 10 tons of residual husk are generated (Akinjokun et al., 2021; de Oliveira et al., 2022; Kley Valladares-Diestra et al., 2022; Vásquez et al., 2019).
The CPH is a relatively hard structure, however, the endocarp is a soft structure and its color depends on the variety or clone; likewise, this is a lignocellulosic material composed mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectins, oils and waxes (Campos-Vega et al., 2018); lignocellulosic residues that could be exploited in the generation of biomaterials, fertilizers, energies and extraction of bioactive compounds that can lead to a profitable product, with additional income for farmers, promoting economic development (Lu et al., 2018; Muharja et al., 2023; Valladares-Diestra et al., 2022).
The use of agro-industrial waste can be an element of innovation that provides alternatives to the socioeconomic and environmental problems of cocoa production in Colombia, becoming a source of additional income for productive units that derive their livelihood from cocoa cultivation, reducing the high volumes of waste generated in their activities.
From the available literature, a small number of studies have reported the presence of cellulose in the husk of Theobroma cacao L. (Alemawor et al., 2009; Lu et al., 2018). Although the presence of cellulose in the shell has already been identified, it has only been studied for use in the production of paper (Valero-Valdivieso et al., 2013). Production of bioplastic from starch from jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seeds and cellulose from cocoa shell with glycerol (Lubis et al., 2018).
Likewise, different cellulose sources have been identified to obtain biofilms, such as sugar beet (Perzon et al., 2020), orange peel (Mayhuire et al., 2019). however, there are specific methodological gaps, such as the enzymes used, the specific temperature of the process, and other variables such as pH value, agitation and concentration, which are key parameters to carry out enzymatic action processes.
This paper presents the method of enzymatic modification of CPH Theobroma cacao L. Clone CCN51, carried out for the first time, in which the aim was to maintain controlled working conditions for the optimum performance of the Celluclast 1.5L enzyme. The product resulting from the modification underwent characterization tests such as pH, Ash, Ethereal Extract, Moisture, Crude Fiber and Water Retention in order to make a comparison with Commercial Cellulose and to know the physicochemical differences between both raw materials.