Exploring Bioactive Compounds from Fruit and Vegetable By-Products with Potential for Food and Nutraceutical...

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Green Chemistry
• Nutraceuticals

Background:

• Increasing food processing generates significant fruit and vegetable by-products.
• These by-products are rich reservoirs of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and dietary fibers.
• Traditional disposal methods pose environmental challenges, necessitating sustainable valorization strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of fruit and vegetable by-products as sources of bioactive compounds.
• To explore advancements in green extraction technologies for efficient compound recovery.
• To discuss the application of these compounds in functional foods and nutraceuticals, supporting circular bioeconomy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on recent advances in extraction technologies.
• Analysis of bioactive compound profiles in various fruit and vegetable by-products.
• Examination of health benefits and applications of extracted compounds.
• Discussion of challenges and future directions in by-product utilization.

Main Results:

• Fruit and vegetable by-products contain diverse bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic properties.
• Green extraction methods (ultrasound-, microwave-, supercritical fluid-, cold plasma-assisted) enhance recovery efficiency and sustainability.
• Incorporation into functional foods and nutraceuticals offers health benefits and promotes circular economy principles.
• Identified challenges include standardization, safety assessment, and regulatory hurdles.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable valorization of fruit and vegetable by-products is feasible through green extraction technologies.
• These by-products represent a significant opportunity for developing health-promoting functional foods and nutraceuticals.
• Addressing standardization, safety, and regulatory challenges is crucial for widespread adoption and circular bioeconomy advancement.