Tomato Pomace: Underestimated Sustainable Cosmetic/Pharmaceutical Raw Source

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Biotechnology
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Tomato pomace (TP) is a significant byproduct of the food industry, rich in bioactive compounds like carotenoids and polyphenols.
• Current underutilization of TP represents a loss of valuable resources for high-value applications.
• Effective separation of TP components is crucial for optimizing extraction and product development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of tomato pomace (TP) as a sustainable resource for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
• To critically analyze peel-seed separation methods and their impact on valorization.
• To advocate for whole-pomace processing strategies for enhanced resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• Review and analysis of existing literature on TP composition and separation techniques.
• Discussion of wet and dry peel-seed separation methods, evaluating their efficiency and challenges.
• Exploration of the application of TP-derived compounds in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations.

Main Results:

• Peel-seed separation is a critical but challenging step in TP valorization due to distinct component properties.
• Existing separation methods face issues with resource intensity, complexity, and environmental impact.
• Whole-pomace processing presents a promising strategy for streamlined operations and improved extraction.

Conclusions:

• Tomato pomace holds significant, yet largely untapped, potential for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Adoption of whole-pomace processing can enhance sustainability and resource efficiency.
• Valorizing TP transforms food waste into valuable ingredients for health and wellness products.