Novel Approaches in the Valorization of Agricultural Wastes and Their Applications

Abstract

Worldwide, a huge amount of agricultural food wastes and byproducts containing valuable bioactive compounds are generated, especially throughout the entire supply chain. Minimizing food wastes and byproducts is the first option to avoid environmental problems, and to help the economy and the society. Although many countries implement policies to reduce food wastes and byproducts, and different management methods are available to utilize agricultural food wastes, they are still produced annually. Nanotechnological and biotechnological approaches are recently used as novel and green applications to valorize agricultural food wastes and improve their stability and applicability. In this Review, these approaches are covered in detail with given examples. Another valorization way of consumable food waste is using it for functional food production. This Review focuses on specific examples of functional foods with food waste as an ingredient. In addition, the problems and limitations of waste management and valorization methods are investigated, considering future perspectives.

Fruit Juice Industry Wastes as a Source of Bioactives

“…Furthermore, the production of novel food ingredients at larger scales might be compelling in the technological and economical point of view. Lastly, a specific regulation should be legislated for the safety assessments of the bioactives from byproducts to prevent valorization of potentially hazardous compounds. , …”

“…Lastly, a specific regulation should be legislated for the safety assessments of the bioactives from byproducts to prevent valorization of potentially hazardous compounds. 46,47 It is important to acquire knowledge on the types and contents of phenolic compounds in fruits and their wastes individually in order to valorize them efficiently. With a thorough understanding of these sources, it would be feasible to learn more about their potential for usage and develop the appropriate applications.…”

Valorization of Agro-Industrial Wastes by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction as a Source of Proteins, Antioxidants and Cutin: A Cascade Approach

“…In addition, it has been estimated that the waste generated in the processing industry to get the final products to consumers can exceed 25% of the latter [ 4 ]. Thus, minimizing food waste by its transformation into high added-value compounds is an important milestone that has acquired great relevance in the so-called biorefineries, helping the environment, economy and society [ 5 ]. This strategy promotes the development of a “zero waste” bioeconomy by manufacturing economically viable products using waste as the raw material [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Introduction to Novel Approaches in the Valorization of Agricultural Wastes and Their Applications

“…Today, there is a need to implement the directions of the circular economy with the concept of the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle the wastes and residues) to help maintain the environmental health of the planet and the sustainability of food production. 3 The concept of agri-food wastes and residues is also overviewed with examples of the different phytochemicals recovered and their applications to functional foods and nutraceuticals. 3 Several reviews on the description of wastes and residues and the kind of phytochemicals obtained from them are also included in the special issue.…”

“…3 The concept of agri-food wastes and residues is also overviewed with examples of the different phytochemicals recovered and their applications to functional foods and nutraceuticals. 3 Several reviews on the description of wastes and residues and the kind of phytochemicals obtained from them are also included in the special issue. Thus, the bioactive compounds present in the wastes produced during the fruit juice industry production are reviewed, updating the extraction techniques and recent valorization approaches.…”