What is Mango Refuse?
Mango refuse refers to the inedible parts leftover after a mango is processed or eaten. This includes the peel, seed, and fruit flesh that clings to the pit. While we enjoy the sweet, soft orange pulp of the mango, the rest of the fruit and seed is usually discarded.
Composition of Mango Refuse
Mango refuse is made up of a few main components:
- Peel - The outer skin or rind of the mango fruit.
- Seed - The large, flat pit in the center of the fruit.
- Flesh - Edible mango pulp that clings to the pit and is too difficult to access.
The peel makes up the majority of the total refuse by weight. Inside the pit is the seed kernel, which actually makes up a very small percentage of the overall refuse.
Quantity of Refuse Produced
It's estimated that mango peel and seeds make up 35-60% of the total fruit mass. So for every 1 kg of mangoes consumed or processed commercially, up to 0.6 kg of mango refuse is generated as an unused byproduct.
With India producing over 18 million tonnes of mangoes each year, that adds up to many tons of organic waste. The problem is compounded by inefficient production methods that leave lots of flesh and juice on discarded peels and pits.
Uses for Mango Refuse
Traditionally, mango leaves, peels, and seeds end up in landfills to slowly decompose. However, researchers are discovering innovative uses that can transform mango byproducts from worthless waste into valuable commodities.
Extracting Plant Compounds
Mango peel and seeds are concentrated sources of beneficial bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, enzymes, dietary fiber and essential oils. Extraction techniques can isolate these substances for use as:
- Antioxidants in functional foods and nutraceuticals
- Natural preservatives in food products
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents in medicines
- Dyes and pigments in textiles
Livestock Feed Supplement
Dried mango waste can provide livestock animals like cattle, goats, and sheep with extra nutrition. The peel is high in digestible carbohydrates, while the seed kernel is rich in starch, fat, protein plus magnesium and phosphorous.
Feeding mango byproducts to animals boosts digestibility and milk yields. It can also reduce reliance on expensive grain-based feeds.
Fuel Production
With some processing, mango seeds can be converted into usable biofuel products:
- Briquettes - Dried seeds are compressed into briquettes to burn for cooking fuel.
- Biodiesel - Oil extracted from mango seed kernels can be refined into biodiesel to power diesel engines.
- Biogas - Microbes ferment mango refuse in anaerobic digesters to yield methane biogas.
These clean burning biofuels cut greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and fossil fuels. They also help offset waste management costs.
Compost and Organic Fertilizer
Instead of letting mango waste degrade slowly in landfills, it can be speed composted. Mixed with nitrogen sources, mango peel and seed meal break down into nutritious organic matter.
Application of mango compost builds soil structure, moisture retention and nutrition levels. The fruit sugars and nutrients stimulate beneficial soil microbe activity and plant root growth.
Mango waste compost and fertilizers are proving especially helpful for organic agriculture, forest restoration projects and home gardens.
Challenges With Managing Mango Refuse
While mango byproducts present promising opportunities, there are challenges standing in the way of progress:
Low Economic Value
Collection, transportation and processing costs currently exceed the market value of mango waste. Manufacturing specialized bio-products requires substantial expertise and investment in research.
Fortunately, increasing demand for organics and sustainables is making mango refutes more economically attractive over time.
Short Shelf Life
Fresh mango peel and seed spoil rapidly, making timely transport to processing facilities difficult. The highly perishable nature also complicates logistics of gathering waste from many dispersed mango packers and vendors.
Development of effective drying techniques and decentralized mini waste processors is helping expand usable collection radii.
Seasonal Production
Mangoes are only harvested 1-2 times per year during the warmest months. The short season leads to a massive glut of waste material needing disposal at once.
Facilities lie idle the rest of the year, so managing operating expenses and storage of waste stockpiles poses problems.
The seasonal issue can potentially be overcome by diversifying inputs and outputs across related agricultural residues available year-round.
In conclusion, mango refuse recycling provides environmental benefits and extra income. But markets are still emerging with more research needed to refine technologies and make large-scale processes affordable.
FAQs
What percentage of a mango is inedible refuse?
It's estimated that 35-60% of a fresh mango's total mass ends up as unused peel, seed, and flesh waste stuck to the pit.
Is mango peel good for anything?
Yes, mango peel contains beneficial plant compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, enzymes, fiber and essential oils. These can be extracted for use in functional foods, preservatives, medicines, and textile dyes.
Can you feed mango seeds to animals?
Yes, dried mango seeds can supplement livestock feed to provide extra protein, fat, carbs, and minerals. Mango seed meal improves digestion and milk output in cattle, goats and sheep.
Does mango waste make good compost?
Yes, mango refuse mixed with nitrogen sources makes an excellent compost or organic fertilizer. The sugars and nutrients stimulate soil health, water retention, and root development in plants.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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