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Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest...
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Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 4492

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Rúbia Carvalho Gomes Corrêa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cesumar Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation-ICETI, Cesumar University–UniCesumar, 1610 Guerdner Venue, Acclimation Gardner, Maringa, Parana, Brazil
Interests: food science and nutrition; sustainable food systems; adding value to agro-industrial waste; production of bioactive compounds; upcycling of food wastes; novel plant-based materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rosane Marina Peralta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, State University of Maringa, Maringa, Brazil
Interests: adding value to agro-industrial waste; production of bioactive compounds; biochemistry of microorganisms; bioremediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide, one-third of plant-based food produced for humans is wasted, generating byproducts which may be treated and processed into novel biomaterials. Investigating the availability of secondary raw materials and classifying different systems for their conversion will be crucial in our transition to a circular economy within the agri-food supply chain. In this context, the valorization of plant-based waste and food byproducts will play a pivotal role in harnessing the potential of such biomasses for various applications ranging from renewable energy production to the development of novel therapeutical drugs. The authors hope that the knowledge generated around this topic will contribute to a more sustainable food system and a bio-based circular economy.

For this Special Issue on the “Valorization of Plant-Based Food Waste and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries” we seek high-quality works focused on strategies for recovering plant-based food waste, the characterization of vegetable residues, and the development of upcycled biomaterials for industrial applications. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • plant-derived materials;
  • bioactive compounds;
  • green extraction;
  • green chemistry;
  • plant-based food waste recovery;
  • green chemistry for the recovery of compounds of interest;
  • characterization of plant-based food waste and/or byproducts.

Prof. Dr. Rúbia Carvalho Gomes Corrêa
Prof. Dr. Rosane Marina Peralta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant-derived materials
  • bioactive compounds
  • green extraction
  • plant-based food waste recovery

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

8 pages, 686 KiB  
Communication
Microencapsulation by Spray Drying of Bioactive Compounds: A Comparison Between Pulp or Acidified Extract of Jussara Fruit (Euterpe edulis Martius)
by Isabela Carolina Ferreira da Silva, Silvio Claudio da Costa, Grasiele Scaramal Madrona and Rita de Cássia Bergamasco
Plants 2025, 14(9), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091295 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 333
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the best way to use the fruit of the Jussara Palm (Euterpe edulis Martius), whether as pulp or acidified extract, in microencapsulation by spray drying, to develop a natural dye with attractive, stable color characteristics, and [...] Read more.
The present study aims to evaluate the best way to use the fruit of the Jussara Palm (Euterpe edulis Martius), whether as pulp or acidified extract, in microencapsulation by spray drying, to develop a natural dye with attractive, stable color characteristics, and high anthocyanin content. The anthocyanins were extracted using a hydroalcoholic solution (70%) acidified with citric acid, and the microcapsules were produced in a proportion of in a 1:3 ratio (pulp/extract: agent), using maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents. The microcapsule samples showed high values of encapsulation efficiency and retention of total anthocyanins, with the pulp showing higher levels of bioactive compounds compared to the extract. Regarding characterization, the microcapsules obtained from pulp showed better results for total anthocyanins (77.5 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside/100 g), phenolic compounds (492.48 mg EAG/100 g) and antioxidant activity (85.82%). The best color stability, with storage at room temperature, was also observed in microcapsules obtained from Jussara pulp (ΔE 6.25). Thus, the pulp presents better technological characteristics for microcapsule preparation by spray drying, with potential application as a natural dye in food matrices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries)
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16 pages, 3240 KiB  
Article
Xylooligosaccharides from Barley Malt Residue Produced by Microwave-Assisted Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Their Potential Uses as Prebiotics
by Shah Zaib Fareed, Pipat Tangjaidee, Tabkrich Khumsap, Wannaporn Klangpetch, Suphat Phongthai, Apinun Kanpiengjai, Chartchai Khanongnuch and Kridsada Unban
Plants 2025, 14(5), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050769 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 840
Abstract
Barley malt residue (BMR) was subjected to microwave-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis to evaluate its potential as a raw material to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) suitable for use as a prebiotic. The influent factors on XOS production, microwave power, exposure time, and xylanase dosage were ascertained [...] Read more.
Barley malt residue (BMR) was subjected to microwave-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis to evaluate its potential as a raw material to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) suitable for use as a prebiotic. The influent factors on XOS production, microwave power, exposure time, and xylanase dosage were ascertained with response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design (BBD). The fitted models of XOS and xylose yields were in good agreement with the experimental results. Using a microwave power of 1235.1 W, a 6 min exposure time, and a xylanase concentration of 89.12 U/g substrate gave the highest yield of XOS: 208.05 mg/g substrate at 4 h of enzyme incubation time. Based on the product composition, BMR-XOS purification by Saccharomyces cerevisiae treatment was superior to the process of activated carbon adsorption and ethanol precipitation treatment and was selected for further experiments. Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) clearly elucidated the oligosaccharide compositions, and the result of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the molecular structure and sugar components of achieved BMR-XOS. In vitro fermentation of BMR-XOS obtained from this study by the selected probiotics, Lactococcus lactis TISTR 1401, Levicaseibacillus brevis FS 2.1, Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1463, showed similar prebiotic activity compared with the commercial XOS, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), xylose, and glucose (control). In conclusion, the present study was successful in establishing the use of barley malt residue for the extraction of xylan and XOS, which could be further used as a prebiotic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries)
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14 pages, 1689 KiB  
Article
From Waste to Worth: Using Fermented Orange Pomace in Sustainable Feed Production
by Tamer Elsakhawy, Tarek Alshaal, Ammar Elakhdar and Ibrahim El-Akhdar
Plants 2024, 13(22), 3191; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13223191 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1118
Abstract
Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing environmentally friendly feed while minimizing chemical fertilizers and energy use. This study evaluates the use of orange pomace fermentation liquor (OPFL) as a bio-fertilizer to enhance the growth and nutritional content of sprouted barley for [...] Read more.
Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing environmentally friendly feed while minimizing chemical fertilizers and energy use. This study evaluates the use of orange pomace fermentation liquor (OPFL) as a bio-fertilizer to enhance the growth and nutritional content of sprouted barley for sustainable feed production. We conducted multiple assays to determine OPFL’s growth-promotion potential, including in vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial effects. Biosafety assays confirmed the absence of coliforms and hemolytic activity. Four barley varieties (Giza 2000, Giza 138, Giza 132, and Giza 126) were treated with OPFL in a hydroponic germination system, with significant improvements observed across several parameters. For example, in Giza 2000, chlorophyll content increased from 4.28 to 4.74, protein content rose from 12.15% to 22.07%, and plant height grew from 13.6 cm to 16.4 cm, representing increases of 10.7%, 81.6%, and 20.6%, respectively. Fresh biomass yield also saw a slight increase, though not statistically significant. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that OPFL is a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, enhancing barley yield and quality in animal feed systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries)
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18 pages, 6828 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Atlantic Forest Tucum (Bactris setosa Mart.) Leaf Fibers: Aspects of Innovation, Waste Valorization and Sustainability
by Taynara Thaís Flohr, Eduardo Guilherme Cividini Neiva, Marina Proença Dantas, Rúbia Carvalho Gomes Corrêa, Natália Ueda Yamaguchi, Rosane Marina Peralta, Afonso Henrique da Silva Júnior, Joziel Aparecido da Cruz, Catia Rosana Lange de Aguiar and Carlos Rafael Silva de Oliveira
Plants 2024, 13(20), 2916; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13202916 - 18 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1516
Abstract
This study investigates the fibers of tucum (Bactris setosa Mart.), a palm species native to the Atlantic Forest. The fibers manually extracted from tucum leaves were characterized to determine important properties that help with the recognition of the material. The fibers were [...] Read more.
This study investigates the fibers of tucum (Bactris setosa Mart.), a palm species native to the Atlantic Forest. The fibers manually extracted from tucum leaves were characterized to determine important properties that help with the recognition of the material. The fibers were also subjected to pre-bleaching to evaluate their dyeing potential. The extraction and characterization of these fibers revealed excellent properties, making this material suitable not only for manufacturing high-quality textile products but also for various technical and engineering applications. The characterization techniques included SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), and tensile strength tests. These analyses showed that tucum fibers possess desirable properties, such as high tensile strength, with values comparable to linen but with a much finer diameter. The fibers also demonstrated good affinity for dyes, comparable to cotton fibers. An SEM analysis revealed a rough surface, with superficial phytoliths contributing to their excellent mechanical strength. FTIR presented a spectrum compatible with cellulose, confirming its main composition and highly hydrophilic nature. The dyeing tests indicated that tucum fibers can be successfully dyed with industrial direct dyes, showing good color yield and uniformity. This study highlights the potential of tucum fibers as a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative for the transformation industry, promoting waste valorization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Plant-Based Food Wastes and Byproducts: Compounds of Interest for the Food, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and Textile Industries)
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