Circular Economy Research Group Welcomes Six New Young Researchers to Coffee By-Product Valorization Program

CircularTrace proudly announced the expansion of its Circular Economy Research Group through the addition of six new young researchers. This initiative focuses on waste reduction and resource efficiency by transforming coffee processing by-products into high-value products with economic and environmental benefits.

The research program primarily explores the utilization of coffee cherry pulp (cascara), parchment, and spent coffee grounds. Through this initiative, CircularTrace aims to create scalable solutions that can increase farmer income while significantly reducing environmental impact from coffee waste.

The first research pillar focuses on green extraction technology and the development of high-value ingredients. Several studies investigate the use of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for extracting bioactive compounds from cascara, including chlorogenic acids and caffeine. The research also examines process optimization to maximize extraction efficiency and product purity using environmentally friendly methods.

The second research pillar emphasizes sustainable product innovation and the creation of new market opportunities. One project studies the production of activated carbon from coffee waste materials such as parchment, pulp, and spent coffee grounds for environmental remediation applications. Another project develops functional beverage blends using cascara and kawa leaf tea extract, combining nutritional value with sustainability concepts.

Additional research focuses on producing concentrated syrup from cascara for food industry applications and formulating skincare lotion enriched with cascara extract for the cosmetic sector. These studies include physicochemical testing, microbial stability analysis, sensory evaluation, and quality control to ensure product safety and commercial viability.

Through these six research initiatives, CircularTrace continues to strengthen its commitment to converting agricultural waste into valuable resources while supporting the transition toward a sustainable global circular economy system.