Potential uses of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (pequi) charcoal

Caryocar brasiliense Camb., popularly known as pequi, is a tree species native to Brazil with significant cultural, social, and environmental value, especially in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. However, during its commercialization process, a significant challenge is the proper utilization of the waste generated from its shell. This study aims to characterize the biomass and charcoal obtained from pequi bark, evaluating different carbonization temperatures (350, 400, and 450°C). The lignocellulosic characterization indicated a high content of extractives (56.82%) and holocellulose and lignin contents of 29.43% and 13.74%, respectively. The proximate analysis showed 71.36% volatile material, 20.63% fixed carbon, and 8.01% ash, while the calorific value found for the biomass was 18.99 MJ kg-1. In the charcoal, increasing the final carbonization temperature was directly proportional, resulting in higher percentages of ash, fixed carbon, pH, electrical conductivity, and calorific value, with the exception of volatile material and charcoal gravimetric yield, which decreased. The results demonstrated the technical feasibility of converting pequi bark into charcoal, with potential applications in the energy sector, effluent treatment, and as a soil conditioner. It also contributes to regional sustainable development and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.