Mendel University in Brno implements a project within UNDP CHALLENGE FUND – CZECH SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Project called The Use of Mango Stones as a Source of Valuable Fats and a Renewable Energy Is implemented in Cambodia and works together with Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh and Kirirom Food Production l.t.d.
Cambodia is one of the world’s important mango producers. The fruit is mostly consumed or sold fresh but often it is processed by drying or sterilizing. Current proposal focuses on processing of the mango waste. A waste from the fruit processing is mostly created by the mango stone which is woody and of big size. Currently the stones are only treated as a waste and in case of bigger fruit processers it performs a problem for local environment. This kind of waste opens the possibilities for further processing, namely a) extraction of fats used in food and cosmetic industry, and b) fabrication of pellets used as a source of renewable energy. The fabrication and use of pellets would be perfect solution combining green waste management and energy efficiency as fruit is mostly preserved by heat created by burning fuel wood or gas.
The proposed project aims to transfer Czech technical know-how related to the processing of fruit
stones to valuable fats and fuel pellets and thus further develop mango processing value chain that
was also supported in Cambodia by the UNDP Challenge Fund project in 2020/2021.
The proposed solution is to elaborate a feasibility study which will carry out several results: a) analysis of current production of waste in form of mango stones, b) local possibilities of its treatment in order to add value, c) pilot extraction of oils and fabrication of pellets, d) market analysis especially of the demand for the final products. The project team together with partner Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) will transfer the technical knowledge to fruit processers from the food industry resort. The practical study will be carried out on the case of another project partner – Kirirom Food Production (KFP) who is producing dried mango using the fuel wood for heating the driers. The results of the study will be scaled up by promotion within NGO’s, donors and other institutions active in the field of fruit processing.
