Valorization of bioactive compounds from juice industry waste: Applications, challenges, and future prospects

Background

The juice industry generates substantial volumes of waste annually, including peels, seeds, and pulp. These by-products present environmental challenges such as increased landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions but also contain valuable bioactive compounds like phenolics, flavonoids, and dietary fibers. As global juice consumption rises, developing sustainable strategies to valorize these by-products into high-value products is becoming increasingly important.

Scope and approach

This review explores the potential of converting juice processing residues into valuable bioactive compounds. It provides a comprehensive analysis of global juice waste production, focusing on major by-products such as peels, seeds, and pulp. Various extraction methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, ethanolic and hexane extraction, and liquid-pressurized extraction are discussed. Additionally, techniques for protecting these bioactives, such as encapsulation methods including spray-drying, freeze-drying, and complexation, are examined. The review also explores the applications of these bioactives in the food, cosmetic, and packaging industries.

Key findings and conclusions

The bioactive compounds found in juice industry waste have demonstrated numerous health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Implementing circular economy models in the agro-industrial sector could mitigate waste production, enhance economic returns, and reduce the exploitation of natural resources. This review highlights the potential for juice waste valorization, providing insights into extraction methods, characterization of bioactives, and potential industrial applications. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction processes and expanding the application of bioactives to achieve sustainable waste management and economic growth.