Agricultural Residues as a Source of Bioactive Substances—Waste Management with the Idea of Circular Economy

Abstract

Every year, the juice industry generates millions of tons of by-products worldwide such as seeds, skins and pomace. This creates significant environmental problems. It is estimated that about 25% of the fruit weight used in juice production is waste. However, even after processing, this waste contains high amounts of valuable bioactive substances. Phenolic compounds and pectin have been found to be the main components of apple pomace and are responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. However, the low bioavailability and sensitivity of some chemicals limit their use in many areas. Advanced extraction techniques and encapsulation of apple pomace extracts is a promising technique to overcome these problems and increasing their applicability (e.g., in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or food industries).