Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid

The valorization of agricultural waste has gained attention due to the need for sustainable technologies addressing environmental and economic challenges. The aim of this work is to investigate the electrochemical transformation of anacardic acid, a major component of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL),...

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Main Authors: Alvaro A. Arrieta, Jorge A. Ducuara, Yamid Nuñez de la Rosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1330
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author Alvaro A. Arrieta
Jorge A. Ducuara
Yamid Nuñez de la Rosa
author_facet Alvaro A. Arrieta
Jorge A. Ducuara
Yamid Nuñez de la Rosa
author_sort Alvaro A. Arrieta
collection DOAJ
description The valorization of agricultural waste has gained attention due to the need for sustainable technologies addressing environmental and economic challenges. The aim of this work is to investigate the electrochemical transformation of anacardic acid, a major component of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), into organic acids and polymeric materials. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was carried out on ethanolic anacardic acid solutions with NaOH as the supporting electrolyte to induce oxidation reactions. CV, FTIR spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to analyze the transformation processes. The results revealed oxidation sequences involving phenoxyl radicals, hydroquinones, and benzoquinones, leading to ring-opening reactions and the production of low-molecular-weight organic acids, including propionic, formic, oxalic, lactic, and acetic acids, as confirmed by HPLC. Polymerization processes were also observed, leading to the attainment of polymeric materials. FTIR spectra showed changes in phenol and carboxylic acid bands, confirming chemical transformations. CV and EIS indicated irreversible oxidation processes with charge transfer coefficients between 0.397 and 0.414 controlled by diffusion–adsorption. This work demonstrates the feasibility of electrochemical oxidation as a green method for producing organic acids from anacardic acid, aligning with circular economy principles and reducing reliance on petrochemical sources. It highlights the potential of electrochemical approaches for sustainable biomass utilization and fine chemical synthesis.
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spelling doaj-art-e43781e85f554dad8fd195eef25549fa2025-08-20T02:10:24ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01306133010.3390/molecules30061330Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell LiquidAlvaro A. Arrieta0Jorge A. Ducuara1Yamid Nuñez de la Rosa2Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Sucre (Universidad de Sucre), Sincelejo CP 700001, ColombiaFaculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Fundación Universitaria los Libertadores, Bogotá D.C. CP 111221, ColombiaFaculty of Engineering and Basic Sciences, Fundación Universitaria los Libertadores, Bogotá D.C. CP 111221, ColombiaThe valorization of agricultural waste has gained attention due to the need for sustainable technologies addressing environmental and economic challenges. The aim of this work is to investigate the electrochemical transformation of anacardic acid, a major component of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), into organic acids and polymeric materials. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was carried out on ethanolic anacardic acid solutions with NaOH as the supporting electrolyte to induce oxidation reactions. CV, FTIR spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to analyze the transformation processes. The results revealed oxidation sequences involving phenoxyl radicals, hydroquinones, and benzoquinones, leading to ring-opening reactions and the production of low-molecular-weight organic acids, including propionic, formic, oxalic, lactic, and acetic acids, as confirmed by HPLC. Polymerization processes were also observed, leading to the attainment of polymeric materials. FTIR spectra showed changes in phenol and carboxylic acid bands, confirming chemical transformations. CV and EIS indicated irreversible oxidation processes with charge transfer coefficients between 0.397 and 0.414 controlled by diffusion–adsorption. This work demonstrates the feasibility of electrochemical oxidation as a green method for producing organic acids from anacardic acid, aligning with circular economy principles and reducing reliance on petrochemical sources. It highlights the potential of electrochemical approaches for sustainable biomass utilization and fine chemical synthesis.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1330electrochemical oxidationanacardic acidorganic acidscashew nut shell liquidcyclic voltammetrybiomass valorization
spellingShingle Alvaro A. Arrieta
Jorge A. Ducuara
Yamid Nuñez de la Rosa
Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
Molecules
electrochemical oxidation
anacardic acid
organic acids
cashew nut shell liquid
cyclic voltammetry
biomass valorization
title Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
title_full Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
title_fullStr Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
title_full_unstemmed Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
title_short Study of Electrochemical Transformation of Anacardic Acid from Cashew (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>) Nut Shell Liquid
title_sort study of electrochemical transformation of anacardic acid from cashew i anacardium occidentale i nut shell liquid
topic electrochemical oxidation
anacardic acid
organic acids
cashew nut shell liquid
cyclic voltammetry
biomass valorization
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1330
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AT jorgeaducuara studyofelectrochemicaltransformationofanacardicacidfromcashewianacardiumoccidentaleinutshellliquid
AT yamidnunezdelarosa studyofelectrochemicaltransformationofanacardicacidfromcashewianacardiumoccidentaleinutshellliquid