Search Results (123)

Residues generated during fruit processing constitute an abundant and underutilized biomass rich in bioactive compounds, pigments, structural polysaccharides, lipids, and fermentable carbohydrates. Although their potential for biorefinery applications is widely recognized, existing studies are often fragmented, focusing on isolated products, which limits a comprehensive understanding of integrated valorization strategies. To address this gap, this study presents an integrative review supported by bibliometric analysis to identify global research trends, dominant technological pathways, and key challenges associated with the use of fruit residues in biorefineries. The review covers technologies for extracting phenolic compounds, essential oils, pigments, and structural fibers, as well as lipid recovery, enzyme production, and biochemical routes for bioethanol, biohydrogen, and biogas generation. The review reveals that emerging technologies, such as pressurized fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasound-assisted extraction, enable efficient recovery of antioxidant compounds, high-purity pectin, and fermentable sugars, particularly when applied in sequential and integrated processing schemes. Bioethanol production is the most extensively investigated route, with yields strongly dependent on biomass composition and pretreatment strategies, identifying banana, cashew, apple, mango, coconut, and palm residues as promising feedstocks. In addition, biohydrogen production via dark fermentation and anaerobic digestion for biogas generation shows high technical feasibility, especially when integrated with upstream extraction steps. Overall, integrated valorization of fruit residues emerges as a key strategy to enhance economic performance and environmental sustainability in agro-industrial systems. Full article

Valorizing fruit and vegetable residues as renewable sources of bioactive compounds (BCs) is critical for advancing sustainable biotechnology. This review (i) assesses the occurrence, diversity and functionality of BCs in 20 edible plant residues; (ii) compares and classify them by botanical family and residue type; (iii) reviews and evaluates the efficiency of conventional and green extraction and characterization techniques for recovering phytochemical and isolating phenolics (e.g., flavonoids and anthocyanins), carotenoids, alkaloids, saponins, and essential oils; and (iv) examines the BCs’ environmental, medical, and industrial applications. It synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical potential of these crops, highlighting their role in diagnostics, biomaterials, and therapeutic platforms. Plant-derived nanomaterials, enzymes, and structural matrices are employed in regenerative medicine and biosensing. Carrot- and pumpkin-based nanoparticles accelerate wound healing through antimicrobial and antioxidant protection. Spinach leaves serve as decellularized scaffolds that mimic vascular and tissue microenvironments. Banana fibers are used in biocompatible composites and sutures, and citrus- and berry-derived polyphenols improve biosensor stability and reduce signal interference. Agro-residue valorization reduces food waste and enables innovations in medical diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and circular bioeconomy, thereby positioning plant-derived BCs as a cornerstone for sustainable biotechnology. The BCs’ concentration in fruit and vegetable residues varies broadly (e.g., total phenolics (~50–300 mg GAE/g DW), anthocyanins (~100–600 mg C3G/g DW), and flavonoids (~20–150 mg QE/g DW)), depending on the crop and extraction method. By linking quantitative food waste hotspots with phytochemical potential, the review highlights priority streams for the circular-bioeconomy interventions and outlines research directions to close current valorization gaps. Full article

Banana fruits are consumed raw as desserts or after cooking. They are classified based on their genotype as pure (AAA) or hybrid cultivars (AAB). There is a growing interest in the use of unripe banana flours to produce functional foods due to the presence of polyphenols and dietary fiber (including resistant starch). This study aimed to investigate the impact of banana genotype on the content of polyphenols and starch digestibility. One pure cultivar and two hybrids (dessert and cooking cultivars) were studied. The chemical composition, polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and starch hydrolysis rate were analyzed. The hybrid cultivars (manzano and plantain) showed a higher total starch content than the pure cultivar (morado); dietary fiber showed an inverse pattern, with the cooking hybrid cultivar (plantain) presenting the lowest value. The dessert hybrid (manzano) exhibited the lowest value of the FRAP radical, indicating the presence of different polyphenols in different banana genotypes. Rapidly digestible starch showed the highest value due to the cooking process, with the hybrid dessert banana (manzano) demonstrating the slowest starch digestion rate. The starch hydrolysis constant varied: morado presented the highest value, while the dessert hybrid (manzano) showed the lowest. These results can help to determine the applications of banana cultivars. Full article

Scouring and bleaching processes of banana fiber fabric based on rare earth complex Lanthanum sesquioxide (La₂O₃) pretreatment were studied. The effects of rare earth content, hydrogen peroxide concentration, sodium hydroxide concentration, temperature, time, and stabilizer concentration on the weight loss ratio, whiteness, capillary effect, and breaking strength of the banana fiber fabric were analyzed. The optimized process was determined by an orthogonal test, namely, the rare earth Lanthanum sesquioxide (La₂O₃) 0.25% o.w.f., sodium hydroxide 4.5 g/L, hydrogen peroxide concentration 7.5 g/L, the stabilizer 3 g/L, processed 60 min at 75 °C. Through infrared spectroscopy (IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry (TG), and other analysis, it was proven that the rare earth pretreatment process did not change the molecular structure of the cellulose and had little effect on the fabric thermal stability. The fabric obtained by the rare earth pretreatment process has high whiteness, high breaking strength, less damage to the fiber, good fiber wettability, a high capillary effect, and good handle. Full article

The growing concern over the environmental impacts caused by plant agriwaste has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in manufacturing processes. This review explores the valorization of agro-industrial residues, such as those derived from banana, coconut, and pineapple, for example. It highlights their potential to be converted into value-added products, particularly within the textile sectors. Emphasis is given to the environmental and economic benefits of reusing biomass rich in fibers and bioactive compounds while discussing key technological, regulatory, and logistical barriers that still limit large-scale applications. In parallel, it presents recent advances in processing technologies, such as biocomposites and biochar, and the integration of circular economy principles to promote resource efficiency and waste reduction. The analysis also underscores the importance of public policies and financial incentives to drive innovation and ensure the viability of sustainable practices in industrial contexts. The article proposes an ideal circular production flow model that contrasts current linear practices with a regenerative, bio-based alternative. By mapping current challenges and future perspectives, this review expects to contribute to the debate on environmental responsibility, green technologies, and the economic potential of plant residue reuse in manufacturing chains. Full article

This study deals with the physical, chemical, and thermal properties of William banana peduncle fibers in order to consider the possibility of using these new fibers in textile applications. The samples were collected in Cameroon, in the Littoral region, Njombe Penja district (agri-food industry). The fibers were extracted by three methods, including Water Retting (WR), Dew Retting (DR), and Mechanical Extraction (ME). The various resulting fibers were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), respectively. The FTIR analysis confirmed the lignocellulosic structure of the fibers and revealed that the three extraction methods had not affected the chemical nature of the fibers. The extraction methods also had no significant impact on density and moisture content. Scanning electron microscopy showed bands of fibers bundles on all samples. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the fibers extracted were thermally stable at 82 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed crystallinity levels ranging from 58.24% for (WR), 54.83% for (DR), and 69.53% for (ME). The results obtained on the chemical composition show that the extracted fibers consist mainly of 71.8%, 73.6%, and 74.8% cellulose for WR, DR, and ME, respectively, making them suitable for textile applications. Full article

Plastic materials are widely used for packaging due to their versatility and availability. Global production, mainly from petrochemicals, is estimated at 380 million tons, increasing annually by 4%. Packaging plastics have the shortest lifespan and contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Current production, use, and disposal of these plastics harm the environment, hu-mans, and ecosystems. Microplastics, (plastics particles ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm) formed through degradation, accumulate in ecosystems and the human body, including the brain. Bioplastics and biodegradable polymers from biological sources are a sustainable alternative; however, most production still relies on food crops, raising concerns about food security and sustainability. Utilizing organic wastes reduces production costs, lessens pressure on food systems, and supports waste management efforts. Cellulose, an abundant natural polymer, offers strong potential due to biodegradability, availability, and mechanical properties. This review explores extracting cellulose from banana pseudostem waste for packaging, high-lighting extraction and conversion methods and characterization via FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, and mechanical testing. FTIR confirmed the effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose, XRD revealed increased crystallinity corresponding to Type I cellulose, SEM showed a roughened fiber surface after alkaline treatment, and TGA indicated high thermal stability up to 250 °C. The goal is eco-friendly packaging by promoting agrowaste use. Further research should improve performance and scalability of cellulose-based bioplastics to meet industry needs and compete effectively with conventional plastics. Full article

In this study, sludge retting was used as a pretreatment method for extracting banana pseudostem fibers. A Box–Behnken response surface design was employed to optimize the retting conditions. Three variables—Bacillus subtilis concentration, treatment time, and pH—were selected for analysis. Their effects on the mechanical properties of the fibers were systematically evaluated. Experimental data were analyzed using ANOVA in Design-Expert 13, and a regression model was established for parameter optimization. The optimal conditions were determined to be a Bacillus subtilis concentration of 1.18%, a treatment time of 20 days, and a pH of 7. Under these conditions, the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break of the fibers reached 1161.63 MPa, 50.68 GPa, and 2.32%, respectively—representing improvements of 46.23%, 42.48%, and 34.1% compared to untreated samples. In addition, the fibers were analyzed using SEM, TGA-DTG, FTIR, and XRD to investigate changes in surface topography, thermal behavior, chemical bonding, and crystalline structure. Results showed that sludge retting effectively removed non-cellulosic components, enhanced thermal stability and crystallinity, and significantly improved the mechanical performance of the fibers. This study demonstrates that sludge retting is a green and sustainable pretreatment technique with strong potential for banana pseudostem fiber processing. Full article

Unripe Pisang Awak banana is rich in resistant starch and dietary fiber, which are recognized for supporting digestive health and bowel regularity, yet its limited solubility restricts its application in instant beverages. This study aimed to improve the functional quality of Pisang Awak banana powder (PABP) through drum drying, electron beam irradiation, and inulin supplementation. PABP was produced by tray or drum drying and irradiated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 kGy. Drum-dried powder treated with 8 kGy was identified as optimal and further fortified with inulin at 0–10% (w/w). Compared with tray drying, drum drying with irradiation markedly accelerated rehydration and enhanced solubility. Incorporation of 10% inulin produced the best overall performance, yielding faster reconstitution, greater solubility at 80–90 °C, and lower viscosity values across all pasting parameters. Collectively, the combination of drum drying, irradiation, and inulin addition yielded a banana powder with improved reconstitution and reduced gelation upon cooling. This optimized formulation demonstrates potential as a model for starch-based instant powders, while also contributing to the sustainable utilization of local banana resources. Full article

As demand for plant-based bakery products rises, suitable egg substitutes are needed to preserve product quality. This study evaluated the functional, nutritional, and sensory effects of plant-based egg substitutes in vegan muffins, focusing on texture, rheology, nutrition, antioxidants, amino acids, and storage. To address this, muffins were prepared by replacing eggs with chickpea aquafaba, chia gel, flaxseed gel, psyllium husk, ripe banana, and soapwort extract, and each formulation was systematically characterized. Rheological analysis showed that banana and chia gel improved viscoelastic behavior, while soapwort enhanced foaming capacity. Hardness varied between 1266.15 gf in soapwort muffins and 2735.73 gf in chia muffins (p < 0.05). Compositional analysis showed that protein content varied between 5.24 and 8.54 g/100 g, whereas psyllium and flaxseed significantly increased dietary fiber levels (1.50 g/100 g; p < 0.05). Chia and psyllium also enhanced the total phenolic content and antioxidant bioaccessibility. While the plant-based muffins showed lower levels of essential amino acids, they contained sufficient amounts of arginine and glutamic acid. Sensory scores ranged between 6.00 and 8.50, with banana muffins closest to the control. Principal component analysis highlighted ingredient-specific differences. These findings support the use of plant-based ingredients as functional egg replacements in vegan muffin formulations. Full article

Banana fiber, as a naturally biodegradable material, exhibits excellent mechanical properties and considerable application potential. However, conventional rotary blade scraping extractors often cause significant fiber damage during extraction, thereby reducing fiber quality. To enhance fiber integrity and extraction efficiency, this study developed a pulsating rubbing-based banana fiber extractor. The device comprises a rubbing device with two grass-textured belts and a pulsating pressing device driven by a cam mechanism. Through the synergistic action of periodic pressing and rubbing, flexible fracture of banana stems and efficient fiber separation are achieved. The fiber extraction process was simulated using the RecurDyn rigid–flexible coupling analysis method to verify the dynamic behavior of stem slices during rubbing. Structural parameters were optimized based on the Box–Behnken experimental design, with 17 groups of tests conducted, each repeated three times and averaged. The results indicated that, when the spring outer diameter was 30 mm, the feeding interval of stem slices was 4 s, and the clamping angle between the stem slices and the rubbing belts was 90°, the fiber extraction rate reached 61.35%, the impurity rate was 9.01%, and the integrity rate was 96.22%. These findings verify the feasibility of the equipment structure and process parameters, achieve a favorable balance between extraction efficiency and fiber quality, and provide a novel technical pathway and equipment support for the high-value utilization of banana stem resources. Full article

The development of industry and technology, despite making everyday life easier, generates large amounts of various wastes that negatively affect the environment. Unexpected leaks of substances such as oils, petroleum substances, and chemicals also contribute to the degradation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Long-term effects of environmental pollution require the development of advanced materials and technologies to collect and neutralize pollutants. Sorbents obtained from waste, including banana peels, coconut fibers, and polyurethane foams from recycling the thermal housing of refrigeration devices, allow a reduction in the amount of generated waste and the development of appropriate sorbents. This work focuses on comparing the sorption and neutralization properties of these materials for two types of oil, machine and diesel, and the possibility of using them in rescue and firefighting operations conducted by firefighters. The results obtained indicate that the viscose–cellulose sorbent and the polyurethane foam sorbent are characterized by better performance parameters than sorbents from coffee grounds or coconut fibers. The best parameters were obtained after the first 10 min of the sorbent–contaminant reaction, whereas in the case of contamination with machine oil, the absorption capacity was better than for diesel oil for each sorbent subjected to analysis. Full article

Due to the stroke-protective effects of dietary fiber and anthocyanin together with the synergistic interaction, we hypothesized that the functional drink containing the anthocyanins and dietary fiber-enriched functional ingredient from banana and germinated black Jasmine rice (BR) should protect against ischemic stroke. BR at doses of 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight (BW) was orally given to male Wistar rats weighing 290–350 g once daily for 21 days, and they were subjected to ischemic reperfusion injury induced by temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO/IR) for 90 min. The treatment was prolonged for 21 days after MCAO/IR. They were assessed for brain infarction volume, neuron density, Nrf2, MDA, and catalase in the cortex together with serum TNF-α and IL-6. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. in feces were also assessed. Our results showed that BR improved the increase in brain infarcted volume, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 and the decrease in neuron density, Nrf2, catalase, and both bacteria spp. induced by MCAO/IR. These data suggest the stroke-protective effect of the novel functional drink, and the action may involve the improvement of Nrf2, oxidative stress, inflammation, and the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Full article

Background and Objectives: In recent years, there has been growing interest in the production of ingredients rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, such as green banana flours. This study evaluated the effect of consumption of mixed green banana pulp (PF) and peel (PeF) flours on the body weight gain, adiposity, lipid profile, and intestinal morphology of Wistar rats. Methods: Male young rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) that received a standard diet (SD), or one of the following three test diets: M1 (SD + 90% PF/10% PeF), M2 (SD + 80% PF/20% PeF), or P (SD + 100% PF) for 28 days. Results: Rats from M1, M2, and P groups showed reduced body weight gain and adiposity and had lower contents of total cholesterol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and triglycerides. Animals from M1 and M2 groups had an increase in cecum weight, fecal moisture, acetic acid concentration, and crypt depth and reduced fecal pH. Moreover, consumption of the M1, M2, and P diets increased the expression of proteins involved in intestinal functionality. Significant negative correlations were observed between consumption of resistant starch and soluble dietary fiber, from the flours, and weight gain (r = −0.538 and r = −0.538, respectively), body adiposity (r = −0.780 and r = −0.767, respectively), total cholesterol (r = −0.789 and r = −0.800, respectively), and triglycerides (r = −0.790 and r = −0.786, respectively). Conclusions: Mixed green banana pulp and peel flour proved to be a viable alternative as a food ingredient that can promote weight loss, improve lipid profile and intestinal morphology, and minimize post-harvest losses. Full article

Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are increasingly valued for their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. This study proposes a comprehensive characterization of the chemical and bioactive properties of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) (PA); Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) (XS); Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamiaceae) (SB); and inflorescences from three cultivars of Musa acuminata (Musaceae) var. Dwarf Cavendish, var. BRS Platina, and var. BRS Conquista (MAD, MAP, and MAC), including the assessment of physical, nutritional, phytochemical, and biological parameters. Notably, detailed phenolic profiles were established for these species, many of which are poorly documented in the literature. XS was characterized by a unique abundance of C-glycosylated flavones, especially apigenin and luteolin derivatives, rarely described for this species. SB exhibited high levels of phenylethanoid glycosides, particularly verbascoside and its isomers (up to 21.32 mg/g extract), while PA was rich in O-glycosylated flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives. Nutritionally, XS had the highest protein content (16.3 g/100 g dw), while SB showed remarkable dietary fiber content (59.8 g/100 g). Banana inflorescences presented high fiber (up to 66.5 g/100 g) and lipid levels (up to 7.35 g/100 g). Regarding bioactivity, PA showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (95.21%) and SB the highest reducing power in the FRAP assay (4085.90 µM TE/g). Cellular antioxidant activity exceeded 2000% in most samples, except for SB. Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities were generally low, with only SB showing moderate effects against Caco-2 and AGS cell lines. SB and PA demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus faecalis, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 0.625 mg/mL. Linear discriminant analysis revealed distinctive chemical patterns among the species, with organic acids (e.g., oxalic up to 7.53 g/100 g) and fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid up to 52.38%) as key discriminant variables. Overall, the study underscores the nutritional and functional relevance of these underutilized plants and contributes rare quantitative data to the scientific literature regarding their phenolic signatures. Full article