Valorization of waste organic pitaya seeds (Hylocereus undatus):

a technological approach

Abstract

Pitaya seeds (Hylocereus undatus) constitute agro-industrial waste with a high potential for developing new products and adding value. Studies characterizing these materials are scarce, though. This work aimed to characterize proximal composition, technological properties, thermal properties, and moisture adsorption isotherms. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins were the major components. Thermogravimetric analyses showed three mass loss events, with the onset of degradation processes at 200 °C and first-order transitions in a temperature range between -42 °C to 205 °C, with a glass transition at 1 °C. Water and oil retentions were 153% and 89% of their mass, respectively. The seeds showed hygroscopic characteristics, with a monolayer moisture value between 3.4-5.9 g H₂O.100 g solids-1 (dry basis). The GAB and Oswin were the best models to describe the moisture adsorption isotherms at 25 °C. The results indicate that pitaya seeds are promising materials for use as ingredients in the formulation of food products