Utilization of By-Products from Fruits and Vegetables

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2024) | Viewed by 4559

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the use of natural products has been increasingly promising and interesting since they have proven their ability to possess numerous beneficial properties for human health. A balanced diet model, rich in fruits and vegetables and ensuring the intake of natural products, has been shown to reduce or prevent the occurrence of many chronic diseases; however, choosing to consume large quantities of fruit and vegetables has led to an increase in the quantities of waste products. This could create some difficulties:

1) there may be an alteration in environmental sustainability;
2) Disposal costs could increase enormously;
3) Incorrect disposal would increase environmental pollution.

In this sense, the utilization of by-products from fruits and vegetables could be used as adjuvants, mixed with other compounds for human health or animal feed.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect papers investigating not only the use of fruits and vegetables, but also their by-products. We seek thusly to lend greater importance to natural foods by increasing their value and sustainability and reducing the pollution they produce.

Dr. Jessica Maiuolo
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3102 KiB  
Article
Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Possess Important Beneficial Properties Dependent on Their Different Stages of Maturity
by Jessica Maiuolo, Saverio Nucera, Maria Serra, Rosamaria Caminiti, Francesca Oppedisano, Roberta Macrì, Federica Scarano, Salvatore Ragusa, Carolina Muscoli, Ernesto Palma and Vincenzo Mollace
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101365 - 14 May 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2197
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered [...] Read more.
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. belongs to the Cactaceae family and the genus Opuntia; it is a succulent plant that adapts to extreme climatic conditions. The aerial part of the plant consists of the cladodes, morphological changes of branches that appear green, are covered with thorns, and are essential to reduce excessive perspiration of water. The composition of cladodes is very varied, and the main constituents are water, fibers, polysaccharides, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, sterols, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are responsible for many beneficial activities for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and nutritional properties. The purpose of this manuscript was to compare the properties of cladodes belonging to the same plant but with different stages of maturity. Relative extracts were tested both in vitro and on a cell line and antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties were found. The antioxidant activity was tested by the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) test, and the measurement of cellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Anti-apoptotic activity was evaluated by the annexin/PI assay and measurement of caspases 9 and 3 expression. The results obtained showed that the extracts considered possess antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. However, the different stages of maturity of cladodes are essential for the performance of both functions. In addition, important variations were made in the dissolution of the extracts that brought greater safety in their use. In conclusion, this manuscript provides further information on cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica, which can be used as adjuvants in many human pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Utilization of By-Products from Fruits and Vegetables)
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Review

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24 pages, 1971 KiB  
Review
Innovative Strategies for Upcycling Agricultural Residues and Their Various Pharmaceutical Applications
by Ludovic Everard Bejenaru, Antonia Radu, Adina-Elena Segneanu, Andrei Biţă, Costel-Valentin Manda, George Dan Mogoşanu and Cornelia Bejenaru
Plants 2024, 13(15), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152133 - 1 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1877
Abstract
This review investigates innovative strategies for upcycling agricultural residues into valuable pharmaceutical compounds. The improper disposal of agricultural residues contributes to significant environmental issues, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem degradation. Upcycling offers a sustainable solution, transforming these residues into high-value bioproducts [...] Read more.
This review investigates innovative strategies for upcycling agricultural residues into valuable pharmaceutical compounds. The improper disposal of agricultural residues contributes to significant environmental issues, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem degradation. Upcycling offers a sustainable solution, transforming these residues into high-value bioproducts (antioxidants, antitumor agents, antidiabetic compounds, anti-inflammatory agents, and antiviral drugs). Nanotechnology and microbial biotechnology have a crucial role in enhancing bioavailability and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. Advanced techniques like enzymatic hydrolysis, green solvents, microwave processing, pyrolysis, ultrasonic processing, acid and alkaline hydrolysis, ozonolysis, and organosolv processes are explored for their effectiveness in breaking down agricultural waste and extracting valuable compounds. Despite the promising potential, challenges such as variability in residue composition, scalability, and high costs persist. The review emphasizes the need for future research on cost-effective extraction techniques and robust regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of bioproducts. The upcycling of agricultural residues represents a viable path towards sustainable waste management and production of pharmaceutical compounds, contributing to environmental conservation and public health improvements. This review provides an analysis of the current literature and identifies knowledge gaps, offering recommendations for future studies to optimize the use of agricultural residues in the drug industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Utilization of By-Products from Fruits and Vegetables)
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