Consecutive high-pressure and enzyme assisted fractionation of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) pomace into functional ingredients: Process optimization and product characterization

Subcritical and Supercritical Fluids to Valorize Industrial Fruit and Vegetable Waste

The valorization of industrial fruit and vegetable waste has gained significant attention due to the environmental concerns and economic opportunities associated with its effective utilization. This review article comprehensively discusses the application of subcritical and supercritical fluid technologies in the valorization process, highlighting the potential benefits of these advanced extraction techniques for the recovery of bioactive compounds and unconventional oils from waste materials. Novel pressurized fluid extraction techniques offer significant advantages over conventional methods, enabling effective and sustainable processes that contribute to greener production in the global manufacturing sector. Recovered bio-extract compounds can be used to uplift the nutritional profile of other food products and determine their application in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Valorization processes also play an important role in coping with the increasing demand for bioactive compounds and natural substitutes. Moreover, the integration of spent material in biorefinery and biorefining processes is also explored in terms of energy generation, such as biofuels or electricity, thus showcasing the potential for a circular economy approach in the management of waste streams. An economic evaluation is presented, detailing the cost analysis and potential barriers in the implementation of these valorization strategies. The article emphasizes the importance of fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to enable the widespread adoption of these promising technologies. This, in turn, will contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy, maximizing the potential of fruit and vegetable waste as a source of valuable products.

Evaluation of different blackcurrant seed ingredients in meatballs by using conventional quality assessment and untargeted metabolomics

Blackcurrants are sources of phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, possessing strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Therefore, the addition of different blackcurrant pomace ingredients may affect the overall meat quality. The actual chemical profile and bioactivities of blackcurrant pomace ingredients may strongly depend on its preparation; for instance, in our study the highest values of the in vitro antioxidant capacity were determined for blackcurrant seeds after supercritical CO₂ extraction. Starting from these background conditions, in this work, we evaluated the ability of three different concentrations (namely 1, 3, and 5% w/w) of blackcurrant (BC) seeds following EtOH/water extraction (BC-AE), before supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction (BC-RS), and after supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction (BC-ASC) to affect different quality parameters of pork meatballs. These latter were stored considering three different time-points, namely 1, 3 and 6 days at 4 °C packed under modified atmosphere (i.e., 70% N₂ and 30% CO₂). Untargeted metabolomics allowed to identify several lipid and protein-related oxidation products involved in redox reactions, such as 13-L-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, (12S,13S)-epoxylinolenic acid, 9,10-epoxyoctadecenoic acid, glutathione, glutathione disulfide, L-carnosine, l-ascorbic acid, and tocotrienols. Besides, multivariate statistics applied on the metabolomics dataset confirmed that the chemical profile of meatballs was an exclusive combination of both BC inclusion levels and type of BC-ingredients considered. Our findings showed that the higher the concentration of BC seed ingredients in meatballs, the lower the cooking loss and the higher the fibre content. Also, all the ingredients significantly affected the colour parameters.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Blackberry Seed Oil: Optimization and Oil Characterization

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to extract oil from blackberry (BB) seeds. The effect of UAE conditions on oil recovery and quality was investigated. Favorable experimental conditions (ultrasound intensity (UI), extraction temperature, and time) were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). A Box–Behnken design was used to predict optimized conditions for BB seed oil extraction. These conditions were as follows: 13.77 W/cm2 UI, 45 °C extraction temperature, and 15 min extraction time. The experimental value obtained for extraction efficiency under optimal conditions was 87 ± 0.34%, in good agreement with the optimized predicted value. UAE does not affect the oil composition and confers higher antioxidant values in BB seed oil in comparison with Soxhlet extraction.

A Systematic Review on Waste as Sustainable Feedstock for Bioactive Molecules—Extraction as Isolation Technology

In today’s linear economy, waste streams, environmental pollution, and social–economic differences are increasing with population growth. The need to develop towards a circular economy is obvious, especially since waste streams are composed of valuable compounds. Waste is a heterogeneous and complex matrix, the selective isolation of, for example, polyphenolic compounds, is challenging due to its energy efficiency and at least partially its selectivity. Extraction is handled as an emerging technology in biorefinery approaches. Conventional solid liquid extraction with organic solvents is hazardous and environmentally unfriendly. New extraction methods and green solvents open a wider scope of applications. This research focuses on the question of whether these methods and solvents are suitable to replace their organic counterparts and on the definition of parameters to optimize the processes. This review deals with the process development of agro-food industrial waste streams for biorefineries. It gives a short overview of the classification of waste streams and focuses on the extraction methods and important process parameters for the isolation of secondary metabolites.

Optimization of the Multienzyme-Assisted Extraction Procedure of Bioactive Compounds Extracts from Common Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) and Evaluation of Obtained Extracts

Optimization of the extraction procedure using a multienzymes cocktail for common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) is important due to the yield, fermentable sugars, oligosaccharides and bioactive compounds for creating higher added value products. This study was undertaken to find out the optimum multienzymes-water extraction on yield and total phenolic compounds for common Buckwheat using response surface methodology (RSM). Three independent variables, time (2, 13, and 24 h), temperature (60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C), and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes mixture (0.10, 0.55, and 1.00 mL), were analyzed to optimize the response variables. NSP hydrolyzing enzymes, cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucanase, were produced by Trichoderma reesei. Estimated optimum conditions for F. esculentum were found: time-2 h, temperature-65 °C, and cellulase activity-8.6 CellG5 Units/mL. Different optimization run samples were collected and lyophilized for further analysis until the hydrophilic property using the water contact angle methodology and rutin content using HPLC was determined. Results indicated NSP enzymes activity did not differ between water contact angles after 13 h of enzymatic water extraction. However, longer fermentation time (24 h) decreased static water contact angle by approximately 3-7° for lyophilized water extract and 2-7° for solid fraction after fermentation. It implies enzymatic hydrolysis during water extraction increased hydrophilic properties in solid fraction and decreased hydrophilicity in water fraction due to the enzymes cleaved glycosidic bonds releasing water-soluble compounds.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction Kinetics of Cherry Seed Oil: Kinetics Modeling and ANN Optimization

This study was primarily focused on the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of cherry seed oil and the optimization of the process using sequential extraction kinetics modeling and artificial neural networks (ANN). The SFE study was organized according to Box-Behnken design of experiment, with additional runs. Pressure, temperature and flow rate were chosen as independent variables. Five well known empirical kinetic models and three mass-transfer kinetics models based on the Sovová’s solution of SFE equations were successfully applied for kinetics modeling. The developed mass-transfer models exhibited better fit of experimental data, according to the calculated statistical tests (R², SSE and AARD). The initial slope of the SFE curve was evaluated as an output variable in the ANN optimization. The obtained results suggested that it is advisable to lead SFE process at an increased pressure and CO₂ flow rate with lower temperature and particle size values to reach a maximal initial slope.

Optimized Supercritical CO2 Extraction Enhances the Recovery of Valuable Lipophilic Antioxidants and Other Constituents from Dual-Purpose Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Variety Ella

The article presents the optimization of supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE-CO₂) parameters using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) in order to produce single variety hop (cv. Ella) extracts with high yield and strong in vitro antioxidant properties. Optimized SFE-CO₂ (37 MPa, 43 °C, 80 min) yielded 26.3 g/100 g pellets of lipophilic fraction. This extract was rich in biologically active α- and β-bitter acids (522.8 and 345.0 mg/g extract, respectively), and exerted 1481 mg TE/g extract in vitro oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Up to ~3-fold higher extraction yield, antioxidant recovery (389.8 mg TE/g pellets) and exhaustive bitter acid extraction (228.4 mg/g pellets) were achieved under the significantly shorter time compared to the commercially used one-stage SFE-CO₂ at 10–15 MPa and 40 °C. Total carotenoid and chlorophyll content was negligible, amounting to <0.04% of the total extract mass. Fruity, herbal, spicy and woody odor of extracts could be attributed to the major identified volatiles, namely β-pinene, β-myrcene, β-humulene, α-humulene, α-selinene and methyl-4-decenoate. Rich in valuable bioactive constituents and flavor compounds, cv. Ella hop SFE-CO₂ extracts could find multipurpose applications in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries.

Valorization of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Pomace by Enzyme-Assisted Extraction: Process Optimization and Comparison with Conventional Solid-Liquid Extraction

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) pomace contains a significant amount of polyphenols and can serve as a basis for food additives, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Although various techniques can be employed to recover bioactive fractions from berry pomaces, data on enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) of bilberry pomace are rather scarce. This study aimed to optimize critical EAE parameters using Viscozyme L to obtain a high-yield extract with enhanced antioxidant capacity. Central composite design and response surface methodology evaluating the effect of four independent variables, namely, pH, temperature, extraction time, and enzyme concentration on three responses, were employed to define optimal EAE conditions. Under the optimal conditions (pH: 4.5, temperature 46 °C, 1 h of extraction, and 2 active units (AU) of Viscozyme L/g of pomace), EAE yielded 56.15 g/100 g DW of the water-soluble fraction. Comparison with conventional maceration indicated that EAE, besides the yield, significantly increased the in vitro antioxidant capacity measured by the total phenolic content, ABTS, ORAC, and CUPRAC assays. Moreover, an increase was observed for the measured mono- and disaccharide as well as anthocyanin content. Overall, this study demonstrates the improved efficiency of EAE over conventional solid–liquid extraction to recover fractions with a higher yield and enhanced functional properties in a fast and sustainable manner.

The Enzymatic Digestion of Pomaces From Some Fruits for Value-Added Feed Applications in Animal Production

With the noticed steady increase of global demand for animal proteins coupled with the current farming practices falling short in fulfilling the requested quantities, more attention is being paid for means and methods intended to maximize every available agricultural-resource in a highly sustainable fashion to address the above growing gap between production and consumers' demand. Within this regard, considerable efforts are being invested either in identifying new animal feed ingredients or maximizing the utilization of already established ones. The public preference and awareness of the importance of using waste products generated by fruit-dependent industries (juice, jams, spirits, etc.) has improved substantially in recent years where a genuine interest of using the above waste(s) in meaningful applications is solidifying and optimization-efforts are being pursued diligently. While many of the earlier reported usages of fruit pomaces as feedstuffs suggested the possibility of using minimally processed raw materials alone, the availability of exogenous digestive and bio-conversion enzymes is promising to take such applications to new un-matched levels. This review will discuss some efforts and practices using exogenous enzymes to enhance fruit pomaces quality as feed components as well as their nutrients' accessibility for poultry and swine production purposes. The review will also highlight efforts deployed to adopt numerous naturally derived and environmentally friendly catalytic agents for sustainable future feed applications and animal farming-practices.

Extraction and Characterization of the Polar Lipid Fraction of Blackberry and Passion Fruit Seeds Oils Using Supercritical Fluid Extraction

The study of the phytochemical composition of seed oils is of upmost importance for the food and cosmetic industries, mainly considering their associated biological properties. Extraction of seed oils using supercritical fluids (SFE) is an ecological and green alternative to conventional extraction processes since it is able to provide with potent bioactive extracts, avoiding degradation and transformation of the compounds present originally in the raw material. The objective of the present work was the extraction of pure fractions of polar lipids and their chemical characterization using chromatographic techniques such as GC-MS and LC-DAD-MS/MS of blackberry (Rubus glaucus) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seed oils extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide. Oleamides derived from oleic acid were identified as the main compounds in both samples; in particular, 9-octadecenamide was the major identified oleamide. Besides, the extract obtained from passion fruit showed to be a source of linoleic acid, while the SFE extract from blackberry presented important concentrations of vanillin. The chemical composition of these seed oils can be of high interest for their further use in cosmetics and food industry.

Antiviral and Antinematodal potentials of chitosan: Review

For many years, chemical pesticides have been performed to control different pests and diseases and this may be due to their broad spectrum of action, easy of application and the relatively low cost. But these chemicals have environmental risks, thus alternative control agents are needed. Chitosan is one of the novel suggested solutions to reduce the economic losses associated with chemical pesticides. Chitosan is naturally-occurring compound, as well as safe and biodegradable which obtained from certain natural sources. Chitosan have unique properties which help to control viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, plant nematodes and other pests locally and systemically.

High-Pressure Extraction of Antioxidant-Rich Fractions from Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa L. Rydb.) Leaves: Process Optimization and Extract Characterization

Dasiphora fruticosa (basionym Potentilla fruticosa) is a shrub, known in traditional medicine for centuries. Due to the wide range of pharmacological effects, interest and applications of D. fruticosa extracts are continually increasing; however, reports on optimization of extraction conditions are scarce. Herein, a multi-step high-pressure extraction process with increasing polarity solvents was developed to isolate valuable fractions from D. fruticosa leaves. Supercritical CO₂ extraction recovered 2.46 g/100 g of lipophilic fraction, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Further, pressurized liquid extractions (PLE) with acetone, ethanol, and water were applied to obtain antioxidant-rich higher polarity extracts. Under optimized PLE conditions, the cumulative polar fraction yield was 29.98 g/100 g. Ethanol fraction showed the highest yield (15.3 g/100 g), TPC values (148.4 mg GAE/g), ABTS^•+, and DPPH^• scavenging capacity (161.1 and 151.8 mg TE/g, respectively). PLE was more efficient than conventional solid–liquid extraction in terms of extraction time, extract yields, and in vitro antioxidant capacity. Phytochemical characterization of PLE extracts by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS revealed the presence of hyperoside, ellagic acid, among other health beneficial phenolic substances. Τhis study highlights the potential of high-pressure extraction techniques to isolate antioxidant-rich fractions from D. fruticosa leaves with multipurpose applications, including the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.