An Integrated Framework for Zero-Waste Processing and Carbon Footprint Estimation in ‘Phulae’ Pineapple Systems

Phunsiri Suthiluk, Anak Khantachawana, Songkeart Phattarapattamawong, Varit Srilaong, Sutthiwal Setha, Nutthachai Pongprasert, Nattaya Konsue and Sornkitja Boonprong ()
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Phunsiri Suthiluk: School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Anak Khantachawana: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Songkeart Phattarapattamawong: Department of Environmental Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Varit Srilaong: School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Sutthiwal Setha: School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Nutthachai Pongprasert: School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Nattaya Konsue: School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Sornkitja Boonprong: Faculty of Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-26

Abstract: This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable tropical agriculture by combining biochemical waste valorization with spatial carbon footprint estimation in ‘Phulae’ pineapple production. Peel and eye residues from fresh-cut processing were enzymatically converted into rare sugar, achieving average conversion efficiencies of 35.28% for peel and 37.51% for eyes, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.56 and an estimated unit cost of USD 0.17 per gram. A complementary zero-waste pathway produced functional gummy products using vinegar fermented from pineapple eye waste, with the preferred formulation scoring a mean of 4.32 out of 5 on a sensory scale with 158 untrained panelists. For spatial carbon modeling, the Bare Land Referenced Algorithm (BRAH) and Otsu thresholding were applied to multi-temporal Sentinel-2 and THEOS imagery to estimate plantation age, which strongly correlated with field-measured emissions (r = 0.996). This enabled scalable mapping of plot-level greenhouse gas emissions, yielding an average footprint of 0.2304 kg CO 2 eq. per kilogram of fresh pineapple at the plantation gate. Together, these innovations form a replicable model that aligns tropical fruit supply chains with circular economy goals and carbon-related trade standards. The framework supports waste traceability, resource efficiency, and climate accountability using accessible, data-driven tools suitable for smallholder contexts. By demonstrating practical value addition and spatially explicit carbon monitoring, this study shows how integrated circular and geospatial strategies can advance sustainability and market competitiveness for the ‘Phulae’ pineapple industry and similar perennial crop systems.

Keywords: ‘Phulae’ pineapple; rare sugar; carbon footprint; BRAH algorithm; zero-waste agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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