Transformation Of Discarded Materials for The Production of Mandarin Essential Oil

In Peru, one of the main problems in mandarin processing plants is the inadequate management of waste, despite a significant portion being in optimal condition for market sale. A study in a local processing plant showed that the average waste generation remained constant at 2% over several months. This research proposes addressing this issue through the production of essential oils extracted from mandarin peels and analyzing their benefits. Essential oils have a wide range of applications in medicine, therapy, and the food industry, making them a multifaceted option. The steam distillation method, chosen for its high efficiency and ease of use, proved effective in obtaining high-quality oils from mandarin peels, enabling the reuse of peels to produce a valuable product. The primary aim is to leverage mandarin processing plant waste in Peru and transform it into value-added products. This approach is expected to reduce losses and promote more efficient resource management in the mandarin processing industry in the country.