New Strategy for Browning Prevention in Apple Pomace Processing and Toxicity Tested in a Rodent Model

Apple pomace (AP) is a byproduct of apple juice industries, which constitutes around 30% of the original fruit and rich in essential compounds like carbohydrates, phenolics, minerals, and dietary fibers. This study is focused on optimizing the combinational utilization of antibrowning agents like l-cysteine and l-ascorbic acid for the sustainable debrowning of AP with response surface methodology and assessment of its acute toxicity in female rats. In addition, the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of treated AP were investigated and compared with the untreated control AP. The study revealed that the treated AP has higher dietary fiber (p < 0.01), protein (p < 0.0001), and phenolic content (p < 0.001) in comparison to the control AP. Moreover, the treated AP also observed with higher antioxidant activity 37% inhibition and water retention capacity (8.5 g H₂O/g solid) along with the debrowning effect. Furthermore, a 4-week in vivo study is conducted to assess the toxicity of treated AP. Results indicated no discernible variations in biochemistry, morphometric, or histology between the supplementation (0.5, 1.5, and 3% AP) and control groups. Thus, adding AP rich in dietary fiber to a range of meals is deemed a safe and valuable food supplement.