Processamento da casca de maracujá para obtenção de farinha

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the technological potential of utilizing passion fruit peel (Passiflora edulis) for the production of functional flour, focusing on the drying process and the analysis of technical, economic, and environmental feasibility. The processing stages — from washing to milling and packaging — were described based on a simulated industrial layout and Good Manufacturing Practices. The peel, rich in dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, proved to be a promising raw material within the perspective of circular economy. The study included mass and energy balance calculations, as well as a detailed analysis of the plant's operational costs. In the current production scenario, the total cost was estimated at R8,36 /kg, with a suggested selling price of R$ 14,50 /kg, including packaging. In an optimized scenario, where the production scale is doubled without increasing fixed costs, the cost was reduced to R$ 4,18 /kg, allowing for a more competitive selling price. Additionally, strategies for process automation, thermal solar energy utilization, and resource efficiency were proposed.