The Valorization of Mango Waste in the Brazilian Brewing Industry: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis and Its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The conducted study examines a relevant and contemporary issue related to sustainability in the brewing industry. The research identifies the potential of utilizing mango by-products-such as pulp and peel-in craft beer production as a means to reduce food waste and enhance the value of agricultural residues. The findings emphasize that this approach supports circular economy principles, aligns with growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, and offers innovative opportunities for breweries in Brazil.

I would recommend emphasizing, for instance, in the abstract and the title, that the situation in Brazil will be examined.

I would suggest considering the use of graphs to illustrate the data presented in section 3.1.2, as this could help to better highlight the market sizes.

It could be beneficial to expand section 3.1.4 by providing more information on existing food products that already utilize mango waste. For instance, are there any such products currently available on the market? Additionally, it might be relevant to mention whether similar applications exist using waste from other fruits, which could help to contextualize the innovation and potential of mango waste valorization within broader industry practices.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your constructive comments and suggestions, which have significantly contributed to the improvement of the manuscript. Below, we outline how your observations were incorporated:

Comment 1

“I would recommend emphasizing, for instance, in the abstract and the title, that the situation in Brazil will be examined.”

Response

We’ve followed your suggestion by emphasizing the focus on the Brazilian context in both the title and the abstract of the manuscript. These modifications are highlighted in blue to facilitate the evaluation of the impact of the changes.

Comment 2

“I would suggest considering the use of graphs to illustrate the data presented in section 3.1.2, as this could help to better highlight the market sizes.”

Response

We agree with your suggestion and have added graphs in section 3.1.2 (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3) to more clearly and visually illustrate market sizes and facilitate understanding of the data presented.

Comment 3

“It could be beneficial to expand section 3.1.4 by providing more information on existing food products that already utilize mango waste. For instance, are there any such products currently available on the market? Additionally, it might be relevant to mention whether similar applications exist using waste from other fruits, which could help to contextualize the innovation and potential of mango waste valorization within broader industry practices.”

Response

Section 3.1.4 has been expanded and restructured as suggested, including more information on existing food products that already use mango waste. In paragraphs 4 and 5, we present upcycled products that are already available in the food and beverage market and also address research on other fruits, independent of mango. Furthermore, we discuss the issue of limited data regarding the incorporation of waste in brewing processes, despite the widespread use of fruits in general.

Moreover, in addition to the suggested revisions, the manuscript has undergone a general review to improve the flow and logical order of the content, aiming for greater coherence and clarity throughout the sections.

As this study serves as a foundation for future research, Section 4.3 — Future Perspectives and Research Opportunities — has been added at the end of the analysis. This new section outlines potential next steps, including the recommendation of surveys and market trials to assess consumer acceptance and guide the practical implementation of mango waste integration in the brewing sector.

Thank you again for your comments, and we’re available for any further clarifications.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This manuscript addresses an innovative and timely topic by exploring the valorization of mango waste in the brewing industry. The integration of agro-industrial by-products, like mango residues, into craft beer production demonstrates potential for enhancing sustainability, promoting the circular economy, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The use of a SWOT analysis is a strategic approach for assessing feasibility and identifying both opportunities and barriers. However, the manuscript would benefit from more concrete data, improved structure, and critical depth in several areas, including biochemical composition, technical feasibility, and consumer market insight.

Comments:

1. The study is predominantly conceptual and strategic in nature. Is there any experimental validation (e.g., trials of mango waste in beer formulations, sensory evaluation, or bioactivity testing)? If not, it should be clarified early in the manuscript that this is a qualitative
assessment.

2. Including even preliminary data or references to pilot studies would strengthen the argument.
3. The manuscript should include a brief overview of the nutritional/biochemical profile of mango pulp and peel—especially antioxidant or polyphenolic content—since these are central to the value proposition.
4. Consider presenting the SWOT analysis in a tabular format for better clarity and impact.
5. While the narrative is strong, specific examples under each category (e.g., strengths: bioactives like mangiferin; threats: regulatory hurdles for food-grade waste usage) would sharpen the analysis.
6. What are the technical steps required to prepare mango waste for brewing use (e.g., drying, fermentation compatibility, microbial safety)?
7. Are there existing regulatory frameworks governing the inclusion of fruit waste in alcoholic beverages? This should be addressed, particularly with reference to food safety standards.
8. The manuscript acknowledges consumer acceptance as a challenge. Are there any precedents or studies on consumer attitudes toward beer made from food waste or fruit residues? Citing such work would add depth.
9. Could surveys or market trials be recommended as a next step?
10. The manuscript appropriately references SDGs, particularly those related to responsible consumption and production. However, specifying which SDGs are most directly targeted (e.g., SDG 12, SDG 9) would enhance clarity.
11. A brief mapping of how the proposed practice supports each mentioned SDG would be valuable.
12. Some points (e.g., circular economy benefits, consumer appeal) are repeated multiple times—condensing these would improve flow.

13. Ensure up-to-date references are included on fruit waste valorization, brewing innovations, and food circularity.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your thoughtful comments and for recognizing the relevance of the topic. Below, we address your comments and explain how they have been integrated into the manuscript:

Comment 1

“The study is predominantly conceptual and strategic in nature. Is there any experimental validation (e.g., trials of mango waste in beer formulations, sensory evaluation, or bioactivity testing)? If not, it should be clarified early in the manuscript that this is a qualitative assessment.”

Response

The purpose of this manuscript is to offer a market analysis that justifies, at a later stage, the advancement of experimental studies. As such, we’ve highlighted in both the introduction and methodology sections that the research is primarily qualitative in nature. This clarification helps set expectations regarding the scope of the current study. The introduction also discusses the profile of stakeholders who would benefit from this kind of research, aligning the findings with future experimental investigations. These modifications have been highlighted in blue for ease of review.

Comment 2

“Including even preliminary data or references to pilot studies would strengthen the argument.”

Response

We appreciate your suggestion, and have expanded section 3.4.1 as recommended. The section now includes additional information on existing food products that use by-products, such as mango residues. In paragraphs 4 and 5, we showcase upcycled products already available in the food and beverage market and provide insight into ongoing research related to the use of other fruits in similar applications. Furthermore, we discuss the issue of limited data concerning the incorporation of waste in brewing processes, despite the widespread use of fruits in general. These additions not only provide greater context for this type of application but also support future experimental research in this area.

Comment 3

“The manuscript should include a brief overview of the nutritional/biochemical profile of mango pulp and peel—especially antioxidant or polyphenolic content—since these are central to the value proposition.”

Response

In response to your comment, we’ve included additional information on the nutritional and biochemical profile of mango pulp and peel in section 3.1.2, specifically in the section titled "Challenges and Opportunities in the Mango Production Chain." This information is now presented in paragraphs 7, 8, and 9. Furthermore, we’ve synthesized this data into a graphical scheme (Figure 4) to enhance clarity and provide a visual summary of the key bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants and polyphenols, found in these mango parts.

Comment 4

"Consider presenting the SWOT analysis in a tabular format for better clarity and impact."

Response

The SWOT analysis has been revised and is now presented in a table format (Table 2) to improve clarity, visual impact, and facilitate the understanding of the key elements discussed. This modification is highlighted in blue in the revised manuscript.

Comment 5

"While the narrative is strong, specific examples under each category (e.g., strengths: bioactives like mangiferin; threats: regulatory hurdles for food-grade waste usage) would sharpen the analysis."

Response

Certainly! The SWOT matrix and the corresponding discussion were restructured to incorporate specific examples, as recommended. For instance, strengths now include more detailed descriptions of bioactives such as mangiferin and quercetin, supported by the biochemical information added in section 3.1.2.

Although this is an emerging topic, experimental research on the incorporation of mango waste into brewing is still incipient. This limitation has been addressed under the "Weaknesses" category, emphasizing that this manuscript serves as an initial step to pave the way for future experimental efforts.

Furthermore, the absence of specific regulation for the use of food-grade by-products in brewing was added under "Threats." While these products currently follow ANVISA’s general food safety and quality guidelines, potential future regulatory changes could impact ongoing or planned developments. These additions aim to enhance the depth and critical insight of the SWOT analysis and are also marked in blue for easy identification.

Comment 6
"What are the technical steps required to prepare mango waste for brewing use (e.g., drying, fermentation compatibility, microbial safety)?"

Response
Additional information has been included in section 3.1.1 regarding food safety and quality regulations that govern the use of agro-industrial by-products in food and beverage production, highlighting the role of ANVISA’s standards. Following quality inspection, suitable mango by-products may need to undergo certain processing steps to ensure safety and compatibility with brewing processes.

Although experimental validation is still necessary to determine the most cost-effective approach, a review of existing studies involving the use of fruit waste in fermented beverages suggests some commonly adopted steps. Among these, oven-drying at 60°C and milling stand out for their ability to reduce water content, thereby increasing shelf life and making the material more readily available for incorporation into brewing. This information was added to the third paragraph of section 3.1.4.

Comment 7
"Are there existing regulatory frameworks governing the inclusion of fruit waste in alcoholic beverages? This should be addressed, particularly with reference to food safety standards."

Response
Section 3.1.1 has been expanded to address this point. The final three paragraphs now clarify the existing Brazilian regulatory frameworks that guide the use of by-products in food and beverages, particularly in relation to quality control and food safety, including the roles of ANVISA and MAPA.

Comment 8
"The manuscript acknowledges consumer acceptance as a challenge. Are there any precedents or studies on consumer attitudes toward beer made from food waste or fruit residues? Citing such work would add depth."

Response
Preliminary studies on this topic do exist, although most are limited to specific populations with little diversity in participant profiles and contextual scope. To address this, the final three paragraphs of Section 3.1.3 were added. They provide an overview of existing research on consumer perceptions of food and bev made with food waste or fruit residues and emphasize the need for broader and more representative studies in future research.

Comment 9
“Could surveys or market trials be recommended as a next step?”

Response
Yes. As this study serves as a foundation for future research, Section 4.3 Future Perspectives and Research Opportunities was added at the end of the analysis. This new section outlines potential next steps, including the recommendation of surveys and market trials to assess consumer acceptance and guide the practical implementation of mango waste integration in the brewing sector.

Comments 10 and 11

“The manuscript appropriately references SDGs, particularly those related to responsible consumption and production. However, specifying which SDGs are most directly targeted (e.g., SDG 12, SDG 9) would enhance clarity.”

“A brief mapping of how the proposed practice supports each mentioned SDG would be valuable.”

Response
The subsection “Circular Economy (CE) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” within Section 3.1.2 was restructured to clearly highlight each SDG directly related to the topic discussed. In addition, Subsection 4.1 in the Discussion was also revised to enhance clarity and emphasize the alignment of the proposed approach with specific SDGs.

Comment 12
“Some points (e.g., circular economy benefits, consumer appeal) are repeated multiple times—condensing these would improve flow.”

Response

We  reviewed the manuscript and condensed the sections where the benefits of the circular economy and aspects related to consumer appeal were reiterated, in order to improve the logical flow and clarity of the text.

Comment 13
“Ensure up-to-date references are included on fruit waste valorization, brewing innovations, and food circularity.”

Response

The reference list was revised to prioritize more recent sources, especially those published within the last five years, while maintaining essential foundational works when necessary. New references on fruit waste valorization, brewing innovations, and circular economy applications in the food sector were incorporated.

Moreover, in addition to the suggested revisions, the manuscript has been generally revised to improve flow and reading order, aiming for greater coherence and clarity throughout the sections. We appreciate your comments and hope the revisions meet your expectations. We remain available for any further adjustments or clarifications needed.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. Experimental data are lacking.
2. A fuller literature analysis should be carried out, and the main innovations of this paper should be elaborated.
3. Materials and Methods. This section should be divided by item and the analysis methods and statistical analysis should be described.
4. The experimental data graph is missing in the results section.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Below, I outline how each of your observations has been addressed:

Comment 1

“Experimental data are lacking.”

Response
The purpose of this manuscript is to offer a market analysis that justifies, at a later stage, the advancement of experimental studies. As such, I have highlighted in both the introduction and methodology sections that the research is primarily qualitative in nature. This clarification helps set expectations regarding the scope of the current study. The introduction also discusses the profile of stakeholders who would benefit from this kind of research, aligning the findings with future experimental investigations. These modifications have been highlighted in blue for ease of review.

Comment 2

“A fuller literature analysis should be carried out, and the main innovations of this paper should be elaborated.”

Response
Thank you for your observation. The literature review was expanded to provide a broader and more integrated analysis of studies related to mango by-product utilization, food waste valorization, and circular economy practices in the beverage sector.

To highlight the main contributions of this work, the manuscript now clearly positions itself as a strategic, exploratory analysis that maps the potential for integrating mango waste into craft beer production within the Brazilian context. This approach — combining a market-oriented PEST and SWOT analysis, with a sustainability lens — is still scarcely explored in the literature, especially in emerging economies. These aspects are now made more explicit, particularly in the introduction and discussion sections.

Comment 3

“Materials and Methods. This section should be divided by item and the analysis methods and statistical analysis should be described.”

Response
The methodology has been restructured to clearly reflect the qualitative and exploratory nature of the study. It now provides a more explicit description of how data were collected and filtered, specifically for the PEST and SWOT analyses, which are now presented in two separate sections. Given the focus of the study on market management and overall context evaluation, no statistical analysis was conducted, as the objective was to provide strategic insights rather than empirical testing. These revisions have been highlighted in blue for ease of review.

Comment 4

“The experimental data graph is missing in the results section.”

Response
As this manuscript primarily focuses on qualitative market analysis, experimental data are not included. The goal of the paper is to provide a conceptual and strategic assessment, laying the groundwork for future experimental investigations. Therefore, the manuscript does not present experimental data or associated graphs. However, I have ensured that all other relevant data, such as market trends and regulatory information, are illustrated with the appropriate visuals (e.g., graphs and figures) in the relevant sections. These updates are marked in blue for your review.

 

Moreover, in addition to the suggested revisions, the manuscript has undergone a general review to improve the flow and logical order of the content, aiming for greater coherence and clarity throughout the sections.

As this study serves as a foundation for future research, Section 4.3 — Future Perspectives and Research Opportunities — has been added at the end of the analysis. This new section outlines potential next steps, including the recommendation of surveys and market trials to assess consumer acceptance and guide the practical implementation of mango waste integration in the brewing sector.

Once again, thank you for your valuable comments. We hope that the revisions and clarifications provided here address your observations and help make the purpose and nature of the manuscript clearer. We remain at your disposal for any further questions or additional clarifications.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Important work presented.

The manuscript entitled “Utilization of Mango Waste in the Brewing Industry: A SWOT Analysis and Its Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals” provided a general study regarding circular economy and agro waste reduction. In principle, this topic is within the scope of the journal, and it focuses on modern sustainability goals. Thus, it adds value to the specified area. In this regard, please find the detailed comments below:
1.    The introduction is too short and redundant. Kindly add more details.
2.    Kindly explain the methodology section in technical terms rather than just mentioning and citing it as text.
3.    Please include a global perspective in the manuscript.
4.    Please include SWOT analysis interpretation in the conclusion section.
5.    Authors can add a couple of figures and tables as well to improve the structure and readability of the manuscript.
6.    In general, it's an important analysis study that is needed in the field.

Author Response

Dear Rewier,

Thank you for your positive evaluation and for recognizing the relevance of our study. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. Below, we provide a point-by-point response to each of your comments. All changes made in the revised version of the manuscript have been highlighted in blue for easier identification.

Comment 1
“The introduction is too short and redundant. Kindly add more details.”

Response:
Thank you for this observation. In response, the introduction has been thoroughly revised to improve its structure, eliminate redundancies, and provide a deeper contextual basis for the study. The new version includes:

• A brief overview and historical context of the Brazilian craft beer market;
• Data on mango production and post-harvest losses, including specific loss percentages;
• A clear indication of the study’s qualitative nature and its aim to deliver a broad market analysis;
• Identification of stakeholders who could benefit from this research.

These improvements aim to clarify the relevance and scope of the study and set a solid foundation for the reader.

Comment 2
“Kindly explain the methodology section in technical terms rather than just mentioning and citing it as text.”

Response
Thank you for pointing this out. The methodology section has been fully revised to provide a more technical and detailed explanation of the study’s approach. It now clearly outlines the qualitative and exploratory nature of the research, describing the process of data collection from scientific databases, market reports, legislation, and expert opinions.

Additionally, the section has been divided into two distinct parts to enhance clarity: one for the PEST analysis and another for the SWOT analysis. Each part explains how the data were filtered and interpreted to support the strategic assessment.

Comment 3
“Please include a global perspective in the manuscript.”

Response
While the manuscript includes selected global references and comparisons—particularly to contextualize mango production and brewing trends worldwide—the study was designed to primarily address the Brazilian market. To ensure clarity of scope, I have emphasized in the introduction and throughout the manuscript that the analysis is directed at the Brazilian brewing and agro-industrial context, while still acknowledging global insights when relevant.

Additionally, the manuscript title was revised to explicitly reflect this regional focus.

Comment 4
“Please include SWOT analysis interpretation in the conclusion section.”

Response
Thank you for the observation. The conclusion section has been revised to include a brief interpretation of the SWOT analysis, highlighting the most relevant findings and how they align with the overall objective of promoting sustainable innovation within the Brazilian brewing industry. This addition helps synthesize the strategic insights generated by the study.

Comment 5
“Authors can add a couple of figures and tables as well to improve the structure and readability of the manuscript.”

Response
We have added several figures and tables to the manuscript to improve both the structure and readability. These additions include visual representations of the market analysis, the SWOT matrix, and other key aspects of the study, which help clarify the presented data and enhance the overall flow of the manuscript.

Moreover, in addition to the suggested revisions, the manuscript has undergone a general review to improve the flow and logical order of the content, aiming for greater coherence and clarity throughout the sections.

As this study serves as a foundation for future research, Section 4.3 — Future Perspectives and Research Opportunities — has been added at the end of the analysis. This new section outlines potential next steps, including the recommendation of surveys and market trials to assess consumer acceptance and guide the practical implementation of mango waste integration in the brewing sector.

Thank you again for your comments, and we are available for any further clarifications.

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Accept in present form