184 | Phytochemicals in pruning waste and food industry by-products: biodiversity and circular economy

Marina Russo¹, Giovanna Cafeo¹, Luigi Mondello^1|2, Paola Dugo^1|2 | ¹Messina Institute of Technology c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Italy; ²Chromaleont srl, c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Italy.

Phytochemicals are secondary metabolites produced by plant biosynthetic pathways as response to stress and pathogens microorganisms, while in human play an important role in prevention of many disease and pathological conditions. Among these, terpenoids, phytosterols, carotenoids, alkaloids, capsacinoids, and phenolic compounds represent the most important families. Phytochemicals are bioactive molecules commonly found in vegetables and fruits. Bioactive molecules belong to different chemical families, each with distinct structures and properties, which underpins their wide-ranging beneficial effects on human health. The food processing industry, particularly plant-based foods, produces huge quantities of waste every year. This material consists of both tree pruning (branches and leaves) and the inedible parts of fruits and vegetables (such as peels, seeds and waste waters). These materials cannot be used directly as food and must therefore be disposed of. However, these waste products could have a second life. Each of them still contains bioactive molecules that may be beneficial to human health. However, exploring a strategy for the recovery of phytochemicals may be a viable option within the framework of the circular economy. These molecules can be recovered and used as nutraceuticals in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The extraction of bioactive compounds from pruning waste and food industry by-products and the development of functional foods with health-promoting properties were two of the main trends in food chemistry. Furthermore, in the last decade particular attention was given to advancing eco-friendly analytical techniques for identifying and characterising bioactive compounds.

The researches were performed with the framework of the Research Project PRIN 2022- MISSIONE 4, COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.1 - BANDO PRIN 2022 - D.D. MUR n. 1858 of 08/10/2024: “Circadian - a circular economy approach for the characterization and valorization of bioactive compounds from biomass of the agri-food chain using innovative technologies”, supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research, no. Prot. 20225NH5Z3, CUP: J53C24002500006. The authors also thank Shimadzu Corporation and Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany) for their ongoing support.