The Potential Bioactive Components in Fruits Wastes as Value-Added Products from the Fruit Processing Industry: A Review

Abstract

Fruits are an important source of nutrition as most of them contain sufficient amounts of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. However, processing these fruits results in enormous waste, accounting for around 40% of total food output. Fruit processing industry waste includes discarded pods, peels, pulp, stones, and seeds all of which can pose environmental and sustainability challenges. Importance of discovering the potential of fruit processing waste into value added products lies in the fact that the fruit processing industries generates substantial waste, contributing to environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion. The solid waste generated by the fruit processing industry may include toxic biological components that contaminate aqueous media, degrade drinking water quality, and cause gastrointestinal disorders in animals. However, Fruit processing waste or byproducts have the potential to be converted into value-added goods of economic importance like candied peel, oils, pectin, reformed fruit fragments, enzymes, and wine/vinegar candied peel.  Converting this waste into valuable products can mitigate these issues, while also creating new revenue streams, jobs, and industries. Furthermore, value-added products from fruit processing waste can enhance food security, nutrition, and sustainability, supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, research in this area can also lead to technological innovations, improved efficiency and scalability, enabling companies to gain a competitive edge in the growing market for sustainable products. This article provides an overview of all common and possible consumer friendly uses of fruit processing wastes and deriving value added products out of it.