Transforming lemon Peel into a sustainable reservoir of bioactives: A green osmotic dehydration strategy

Osmotic dehydration (OD) is a sustainable alternative, offering reduced energy consumption compared to traditional drying approaches. This study investigates the role of OD in stabilizing bioactive compounds in lemon peel, fostering sustainable citrus by-product applications. Employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) framework, pivotal variables-temperature (30-60 °C), exposure time (60-180 min), and sucrose concentration (50-70°Brix)-were optimized to enhance water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) while safeguarding bioactive retention. The optimal conditions (58.92 °C, 70°Brix, 159 min) yielded a WL of 3.4 g/g, SG of 1.5 g/g, and high sensory acceptability. The OD treated lemon peel powder exhibited substantial retention of bioactive compounds, including ascorbic acid (4.1 mg/g) and total phenols (2.3 mg gallic acid/g), surpassing untreated controls. This enhanced bioactive profile underscores its potential as a sustainable and functional ingredient in nutraceutical applications.