The use of dyes in food industrial processes is limited due to significant pollution in aquatic receptors from their wastewater. To address this issue, this study focused on evaluating the adsorption of dyes Allura Red (R40) and Brilliant blue FCF (B1) using cocoa shells (CS) as an absorbent. To achieve this, a pre-treatment was applied, which involved washing, grinding and drying at a temperature of 80 °C for 24 h, followed by a sieving process. The effect of the adsorbent dose was then analyzed and it was calculated that the optimal dose was 4 g/L. Additionally, the effect of contact time was studied through a kinetic analysis, all tests were carried out at a pH level of 2. The obtained data were fitted to kinetic models, which allowed us to conclude that the adsorption kinetics fit two different models depending on the initial solution conditions, in a range from 0 to 0.1512 mmol/L. Specifically, the Pseudo Second-Order (PSO) model fitted R40, while the Elovich model was appropriate for B1. In summary, CS was found to be a viable adsorbent for dyes in contaminated waters. El uso de colorantes en procesos industriales alimentarios es limitado debido a la considerable contaminación que generan en los cuerpos acuáticos que son receptores de sus efluentes residuales. Con el objetivo de abordar esta problemática, se llevó a cabo un estudio enfocado en la evaluación de la adsorción de los colorantes Rojo allura (R40) y azul brillante FCF (B1), utilizando cáscara de cacao (CS) como adsorbente. Para lograrlo, primero se aplicó un pretratamiento que comprendió diversas etapas, tales como limpieza, trituración, lavado y secado a 80 °C durante 24 h, seguido de un proceso de tamizado. Después se procedió a analizar el efecto de la dosis de adsorbente y se determinó que la dosis óptima del adsorbente era de 4 g/L. Así mismo, se estudió el efecto del tiempo de contacto a través de un estudio cinético, todos los ensayos se llevaron a cabo a un nivel de pH de 2. Los datos obtenidos fueron ajustados a modelos cinéticos, lo que permitió concluir que la cinética de adsorción se ajusta a dos modelos distintos dependiendo de las condiciones de la solución inicial, en un intervalo que va desde 0 hasta 0,1512 mmol/L. Específicamente, el modelo de pseudo segundo orden (PSO) se ajustó al colorante R40, mientras que el modelo de Elovich fue el adecuado para el colorante B1. En resumen, la CS fue viable como adsorbente para colorantes en aguas contaminadas. O uso de corantes em processos industriais de alimentos é limitado devido à considerável contaminação que geram nos corpos aquáticos receptores de seus efluentes residuais. Com o objetivo de abordar este problema, foi realizado um estudo focado na avaliação da adsorção dos corantes vermelho allura (R40) e azul brilhante FCF (B1), utilizando casca de cacau (CS) como adsorvente. Para isso, foi inicialmente aplicado um pré-tratamento que incluiu várias etapas, como limpeza, moagem, lavagem e secagem a 80 °C durante 24 h, seguido de um processo de peneiramento. O efeito da dose do adsorvente foi então analisado e determinou-se que a dose ideal do adsorvente era de 4 g/L. Da mesma forma, o efeito do tempo de contato foi estudado através de um estudo cinético, todos os testes foram realizados em um nível de pH de 2. Os dados obtidos foram ajustados a modelos cinéticos, o que permitiu concluir que a cinética de adsorção se ajusta a dois modelos diferentes dependendo das condições da solução inicial, num intervalo que varia de 0 a 0,1512 mmol/L. Especificamente, o modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem (PSO) ajustou-se ao corante R40, enquanto o modelo Elovich foi adequado ao corante B1. Em resumo, o CS mostrou-se viável como adsorvente de corantes em águas contaminadas.

Coffee husk-derived activated carbon prepared by H₃PO₄ chemical activation was investigated for the removal of imatinib mesylate from aqueous solutions. Structural and chemical characterization using N₂ physisorption, SEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis revealed a porous carbon matrix containing oxygenated functional groups and a defective turbostratic structure. The adsorption behavior was evaluated through batch experiments by examining the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, particle size, contact time, and initial drug concentration. Under optimized conditions (300 µm particle size, 0.6 g adsorbent dosage, and pH 6), imatinib mesylate removal reached 97.9%, with equilibrium achieved within 60 min. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.946–0.984), while equilibrium data were best described by the Sips isotherm model (R² > 0.99), indicating adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. Density functional theory calculations confirmed the contribution of oxygen-containing groups, with carboxyl-functionalized carbon exhibiting the strongest interaction with imatinib mesylate (−105.3 kJ mol⁻¹). These findings highlight the potential of coffee husk-derived activated carbon as a sustainable adsorbent for pharmaceutical contaminant removal.

This article presents a feasibility study for establishing a chocolate processing plant. The study employed a comprehensive approach, encompassing with a market analysis, technical assessment, and financial evaluation to examine the acceptance of chocolate, its characteristics, operational requirements, and the potential market impact. The selected target market (individuals aged 15-64) displayed a favorable reception towards the chocolate products. The technical study indicated a projected production capacity of 300,000 chocolate bars annually, commencing from the 8th year and continuing until the 10th year of the project. The financial analysis revealed a promising internal rate of return of 46% and an expected opportunity rate of 35%, resulting in a net present value of $148,039.11. Based on the comprehensive analyses conducted, the project demonstrated feasibility, with a proposed leverage of 98% and a required investment of 2%, resulting in a total investment amounting to $304,814.58.