Preparation and utilization of biochar from agricultural wastes as ethylene absorber for ‘Gros Michel’ banana ripening

Abstract

Biochar samples derived from various agricultural wastes including corn cobs, corn straws, rice husks, and rice straws were investigated for potential use as ethylene absorbers to delay ‘Gros Michel’ banana ripening. The biochar samples were prepared using the pyrolysis method at 500 °C with a heating rate of 1 °C/min for 2 h and examined for their morphology, surface area, pore diameter, pore volume, functional groups, CHNS/O composition, elemental composition, and thermal properties. Each type of biochar had different elemental compositions and surface area. The largest surface area of 110.67 m²/g was found in rice husk biochar. The ethylene adsorption efficiency was determined in closed containers and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags containing ‘Gros Michel’ bananas treated with different biochar types. The rice husk biochar exhibited ethylene adsorption of 31.14 % in closed containers at 144 h and the low total color difference ΔE value of 22.30. Thus, rice husk biochar showed promise as an ethylene absorber to delay fruit ripening in packaging applications.