Cassava (Manihot esculenta) also known as tapioca, is a key agricultural crop in Jamaica, valued for its potential in value-added products like known as Bammy, Pancake Mix, Cassava Chips, and Bammy Sticks. However, the production of these items generates significant waste, including peelings (20-30% of the tuber weight), fibrous by-products (pulp waste), starch residue, and wastewater.
There are several local companies that produce Bammy and other cassava products, but they all dispose of the starch-containing waste while purchasing glues for labeling cans, jars, and sealing cartons.
Utilizing cassava waste to produce glue could be economically beneficial, reducing the need to purchase starch and potentially generating revenue by selling the glue to other businesses.
Cassava starch has several other uses which is currently being explored by local researchers, to utilize this current waste for value added products