Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies on Pineapple Plant (Ananas Comosus) Stem Starch-an Approach Towards The Effective Utilization of an Agro-Waste

Abstract

Those solid wastes that result from the agricultural practices of pineapple plant are the pineapple agro-waste. The fruit is the only used part of the pineapple plant and other portions mainly stem and leaf remains as waste in the farm field. The average weight of the pineapple agro- waste (both stem and leaf) was found to be 2.3 ± 0.26 kg. From this data, it can be calculated that we may get at least 145 tonnes of agro- waste per hectare of pineapple farms. This agricultural waste can be bio-converted into value-added products like starch. For assessing the specific application of starch in various industries, we have to characterize the isolated starch. This research was designed to investigate the granular properties after different heat treatments of starch extracted from this plant stem and thus to provide scientific inputs aiming their effective utilization. Results indicated that this plant stem starch possess unique granular properties when compared to commercial corn starch. Starches with unique properties have much importance in food industries. Studies of this kind will aid the production of value-added products like starch with special properties for specific uses in different starch industries and also aid the maximum utilization of an agro waste.