Harnessing the potential of fruit processing industrial waste for circular economy: a comprehensive review

The fruit and vegetable processing sector generates approximately 40-50% waste, primarily as peels, pomace, seeds, and pulp, representing a significant yet underutilized bioresource. Recent progress highlights green extraction and integrated biorefinery technologies-notably enzyme-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted processes-as the most effective routes for recovering high-value compounds, achieving yields of 20-35% for pectin, 30-60% for polyphenols, and 15-25% for oils. Additionally, fruit residues contribute up to 20-30% of bioethanol or biogas output in integrated energy systems. However, industrial-scale adoption remains constrained by high energy demand, process economics, feedstock seasonality, and supply-chain inefficiencies. This review underscores the need for process intensification, techno-economic standardization, and policy-driven incentives to enable scalable valorization. Strengthening regulatory support within a circular bioeconomy framework is essential for translating laboratory-scale advances into commercially viable and sustainable waste management solutions.