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Bejenaru LE, Radu A, Segneanu AE, Biţă A, Manda CV, Mogoşanu GD, Bejenaru C. Innovative Strategies for Upcycling Agricultural Residues and Their Various Pharmaceutical Applications. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2133. [PMID: 39124251 PMCID: PMC11314045 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
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 (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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Everard Bejenaru
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (L.E.B.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Antonia Radu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.R.); (C.B.)
| | - Adina-Elena Segneanu
- Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara (ICAM–WUT), 4 Oituz Street, 300086 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Andrei Biţă
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (L.E.B.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Costel-Valentin Manda
- Department of Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
| | - George Dan Mogoşanu
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (L.E.B.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Cornelia Bejenaru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareş Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania; (A.R.); (C.B.)
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Transformation of Agro-Waste into Value-Added Bioproducts and Bioactive Compounds: Micro/Nano Formulations and Application in the Agri-Food-Pharma Sector. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10020152. [PMID: 36829646 PMCID: PMC9952426 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The agricultural sector generates a significant amount of waste, the majority of which is not productively used and is becoming a danger to both world health and the environment. Because of the promising relevance of agro-residues in the agri-food-pharma sectors, various bioproducts and novel biologically active molecules are produced through valorization techniques. Valorization of agro-wastes involves physical, chemical, and biological, including green, pretreatment methods. Bioactives and bioproducts development from agro-wastes has been widely researched in recent years. Nanocapsules are now used to increase the efficacy of bioactive molecules in food applications. This review addresses various agri-waste valorization methods, value-added bioproducts, the recovery of bioactive compounds, and their uses. Moreover, it also covers the present status of bioactive micro- and nanoencapsulation strategies and their applications.
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