Hansen Solubility Parameter-Guided Binary Solvent Extraction of Sugarcane Wax from Agro-Industrial Byproducts: A Sustainable Biomass Valorization Approach

Abstract

Here, we report a comprehensive study on the extraction and characterization of sugarcane wax obtained from sugar industry byproducts, primarily bagasse and press mud. These agro-residues represent a renewable and sustainable source of natural wax with significant industrial potential. Sugarcane wax is a high-value bioproduct with versatile applications in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biodegradable coatings. The extraction process was optimized using Hansen solubility parameters to identify efficient single and binary solvent systems. Among the studied feedstocks, press mud consistently produced higher wax yields than bagasse. Toluene alone yielded 7.45 ± 0.29% wax, whereas a mixture of turpentine oil (TO):Toluene (20:80 v/v) significantly enhanced extraction efficiency, providing 11.98 ± 0.32% crude at a 1:20 sample-to-solvent ratio with 3 h of extraction time. FTIR showed a strong ester carbonyl band at 1735 cm–1, while GC–MS confirmed the presence of octacosanol, β-sitosterol, n-hexadecenoic acid, and cuminaldehyde. XRD displayed a semicrystalline peak at 2θ (21.5°), verifying ordered hydrocarbon chains. TGA analysis indicated improved stability, with binary extracts retaining 9.2% residue at 600 °C. Physicochemical evaluation showed a reduced acid value (12.5 mg KOH g–1) and enhanced wettability. Greenness assessments reinforced the eco-friendly nature of the process, yielding an analytical eco-scale score of 79. Collectively, these results establish TO:Toluene binary extraction as a high-efficiency and environmentally friendly approach for producing high-quality sugarcane wax with strong potential in edible coatings, biodegradable packaging, and other industrial applications.