Macauba's world scenario: a bibliometric analysis

Macauba is a tropical palm native in South and Central America, and its fruits present a high-quality oil for biodiesel production. Notwithstanding, macauba's wastes and by-products are not usually repurposed as energy sources. This study shows a bibliometric analysis to assess macauba's current applications and to investigate other energy recovery routes for its by-products. All the investigations focused on information about the main research fields related to macauba. The study showed that only 397 articles and reviews were published from 1900 until 2021 and Brazil has the largest number of publications. Although oleic and protein macauba's by-products are applied as animal feed, some conversion routes related to the lignocellulosic contents, present in non-edible parts, were identified thermal conversion, combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, biochemical conversion, fermentation, esterification, and anaerobic digestion. From the agricultural perspective, plant characterization, germination, embryogenesis, and seed development were also found. From the bibliometric study, the different potential applications of macauba for energy, pharmaceutical, and food purposes were listed to support the identification of a knowledge gap on its by-product revaluation.

Automated summary

This study provides a bibliometric analysis on the current applications of macauba palm and explores alternative energy recovery routes for its by-products. The research findings reveal that the majority of studies focus on macauba's applications in animal feed and agriculture, but also identify potential applications in energy, pharmaceuticals, and food. The study highlights the need for further research on revaluing macauba's by-products.