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The study aimed to characterize açaí seeds and explore their potential for producing mannooligosaccharides (MOS) through enzymatic hydrolysis. According to characterization tests by XRD, FTIR, and chemical analysis, acai seeds, a waste material from acai fruit processing, contain significant hemicellulose content, with a main content based on mannan. The study utilized Rohalase®GMP enzyme for hydrolysis and monitored reducing sugars and MOS production (8–10 g MOS/L) hydrolysate with varying lengths, including di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentasaccharide over time. Results showed a concentration plateau of reducing sugars at 13 h and increased MOS until hour nineteen. Mannobiose (M2) was the predominant MOS produced. Comparative analysis with prior research indicated that the açaí seed hydrolysate’s MOS content aligns with that from other sources. Importantly, the study achieved % hydrolysis and MOS yield of 10.79 ± 0.05% and 51.39 ± 0.11 g M2-M5/g mannan, respectively. Açaí seed is a promising source to produce enzymes, biofuels, or thermal energy, as well as highly valued chemical compounds in the industry. This work additionally demonstrates its potential as a sustainable source of valuable MOS, suggesting applications as prebiotics and functional food additives, with implications for various industries seeking eco-friendly alternatives.

Biocomposites have a high potential to be ecofriendly and sometimes technically competitive with conventional composites and plastics. Nevertheless, studies are inconclusive about the relative economic and environmental performance of these materials. In this study, biocomposite materials made with banana fiber extracted from Colombian region plantation were evaluated by Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost methodologies from cradle to manufacturing. Banana fiber-based composites combinations were compared with polyester resin. The results show the biocomposites alternatives perform globally worse than polyester and are highly dependent of the percentage of resin, type of fiber treatment and to the presence kaolinite.