Theobroma cacao L. (Sterculiaceae) is an economically important crop and the cocoa beans are used primarily in chocolate manufacturing
However, cocoa production generates substantial quantities of waste
The pod shells of the cocoa fruits, which are commonly known as cocoa husks account for 52–76% of the pod wet
weight. The husks are usually left to decompose on the cocoa plantation, which generates foul odors and causes botanical disease inoculum like black pod rot