Grape Pomace as a Platform for Secondary Metabolite Recovery: Mechanistic Insights into Bioactivity, Processing, and...

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Growing interest in plant-derived bioactive metabolites highlights grape pomace as a sustainable resource.
• Grape pomace possesses diverse chemical composition and exhibits significant biological activities (antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer).

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent evidence on the molecular mechanisms of grape pomace metabolites.
• To provide an integrated perspective linking mechanistic insights with technological considerations for sustainable valorization.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing recent evidence on mechanistic actions of grape pomace metabolites.
• Highlighting involvement in key biological pathways (Nrf2, NF-κB, AMPK/SIRT1, apoptosis, microbiota metabolism).
• Discussion of challenges (raw material variability, process standardization, scalability) and technological solutions (chemometrics, omics, data-driven optimization).

Main Results:

• Grape pomace metabolites modulate key pathways: Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense, NF-κB-regulated inflammation, AMPK/SIRT1-dependent metabolic regulation, apoptosis signaling, and microbiota-driven phenolic metabolism.
• Chemometrics, omics technologies, and data-driven optimization can address challenges in raw material variability, process standardization, and industrial scalability.

Conclusions:

• Grape pomace metabolites exert their effects through well-defined molecular pathways.
• Technological advancements are crucial for overcoming challenges and enabling the sustainable valorization of grape pomace.
• An integrated approach is essential for advancing the utilization of grape pomace in a circular bioeconomy.