Unveiling the Bioactive Potential of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Waste in Human Health from a Consumer Perspective

Abstract

Food supply disruption and shortage verified during the current pandemic events are a scenario that many anticipate for the near future. The impact of climate changes on food production, the continuous decrease in arable land, and the exponential growth of the human population are important drivers for this problem. In this context, adding value to food waste is an obvious strategy to mitigate food shortages, but there is a long way to go in this field. Globally, it is estimated that one-third of all food produced is lost. This is certainly due to many different factors, but the lack of awareness of the consumer about the nutritional value of certain foods parts, namely peels and seeds, is certainly among them. In this review, we will unveil the nutritional and bioactive value of the waste discarded from the most important fresh fruit and vegetables consumed worldwide as a strategy to decrease food waste. This will span the characterization of the bioactive composition of selected waste from fruits and vegetables, particularly their seeds and peels, and their possible uses, whether in our diet or recycled to other ends.

Valorization of polyphenolic compounds from food industry by-products for application in polysaccharide-based nanoparticles

“…Recent research indicates that food systems significantly affect climate change ( 120 ). It is estimated that in the subsequent years, the impact on the environment caused by the inefficient use of natural resources, concurrent with the exponential growth of the world population, will result in profound social consequences ( 118 , 121 ). The production of residues from the food industry significantly impacts the environment, constituting approximately one-tenth of food systems emissions ( 122 , 123 ).…”

“…Globally, millions of tons of food waste from vegetables are generated annually, mainly from processing fruits and grains ( 131 ). Food sub-products constitute a huge extractive source of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and macromolecules (proteins and polysaccharides) ( 121 , 132 ). In addition, vegetable residues, mainly from fruit peel, can extract non-nutrients, such as bioactive phytochemicals.…”

“…The wide diversity of these compounds includes several groups, comprehending carotenoids, prebiotics and dietary fibers, pigments, and phenolic compounds – most of them with remarkable beneficial bioactivity ( 26 , 133 ). Sustainability actions are being planned, such as the rational use of raw food materials and the correct disposal of by-products ( 121 ). In this sense, the technological use of food waste can be an alternative to reduce environmental impacts with positive economic consequences ( 127 ).…”

“…Pereira et al ( 121 ) indicated that adding value to the wasted parts of food can be a strategy to mitigate food shortages in the future. The use of peels and seeds, in addition to being nutritionally adequate, can have positive environmental impacts in the long term.…”

Constraints of supply chain management of apple production in Kinnaur and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh (India)

“…The medium and large orchardists prefer to market their produce through different channels. In Himachal Pradesh about 65 per cent of the total apple produced is marketed through 'farmer-forwarding agent-commission agentswholesaler-retailer-consumer' and' farmer-commission agents-wholesaler-retailer-consumer' channels (Pereira et al 2022) [5] . Some growers managed their produce through cooperatives and government controlled corporations primarily the Himachal Pradesh marketing and processing cooperation limited (hpmc) in Himachal Pradesh which are also involved in supply chain system of apple.…”