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Citrus is an essentially important fruit that grows in diverse parts of the world. India is one of the chief producers of Citrus species. The most important varieties cultivated in West Bengal, India are: Paati, Gondhoraaj, Kaghchi, Batapi, Rangpur, Kamala and Musambi. This research aimed at profiling the volatile organic compositions of the essential oils (EOs) of a few popularly cultivated Citrus sps, isolated, in their fresh and dehydrated conditions, both from leaves as well as from fruit rinds. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) analyzed a total of 78 metabolites belonging to different classes. This study has established a comprehensive volatile profile of Citrus species. The essential oils (EOs) isolated using hydrodistillation method from the discarded rinds and leaves can be used as a potential source of aroma and flavour compounds for the emerging nutritional market. The PLS-DA (Partial Least Squares – Discriminant Analysis) and HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) showed distinct clusters for dehydrated and fresh rind and leaf samples of all the studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of hydroalcoholic extracts from the peel and seeds of jatobá fruit and the synergistic effect of their combination against pathogenic bacteria were evaluated. The 80% ethanol fruit seed extract showed a greater antioxidant potential and higher total phenolic content (5135.61 GAE/100 g dry residue) than the maximum value obtained from peel extract using 50% ethanol (2614.74 1 GAE/100 g dry residue). Moreover, 70% and 80% ethanol seed extracts inhibited most bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the lowest values of minimum inhibitory concentration (1.0 and 8.0 mg/mL), when compared with extracts from peel. Combining the 70% ethanol extracts from peels and seeds reduced their inhibitory concentration by about 4 to 32 times against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, P. aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis, when compared to each extract alone. Extracts from the peel and seeds of the jatobá fruit showed potential as natural antioxidants and antimicrobials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the viability of utilizing microcellulose extracted from pineapple peel waste as a sustainable and cost-effective matrix material for polypyrrole (PPy)-based capacitors. A novel PPy/microcellulose composite was synthesized with varying pyrrole volumes (1-2 mL) and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Xray diffraction (XRD) analyses. FTIR analysis confirmed successful cellulose isolation, while XRD indicated a similarity between the extracted pineapple peel and commercial cellulose. Capacitor cells were fabricated using the synthesized composites, and their capacitance performance was evaluated. Notably, cells containing 2 mL of PPy exhibited the highest capacitance values. Additionally, the source of cellulose had minimal influence on the resulting capacitance. This study suggests that microcellulose derived from pineapple peel waste holds promise as a sustainable alternative to traditional matrix materials for high-performance capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigments derived from red pepper fruits are widely used in food and cosmetics as natural colorants. Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient affecting plant growth and metabolism; however, its regulation of color-related metabolites in pepper fruit has not been fully elucidated. This study analyzed the effects of N supply (0, 250, and 400 kg N ha-1) on the growth, fruit skin color, and targeted and nontarget secondary metabolites of field-grown pepper fruits at the mature red stage. Overall, 16 carotenoids were detected, of which capsanthin, zeaxanthin, and capsorubin were the dominant ones. N application at 250 kg ha-1 dramatically increased contents of red pigment capsanthin, yellow-orange zeaxanthin and b-carotene, with optimum fruit yield. A total of 290 secondary metabolites were detected and identified. The relative content of most flavonoids and phenolic acids was decreased with increasing N supply. Correlation analysis showed that color parameters were highly correlated with N application rates, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, and coumarins. Collectively, N promoted carotenoid biosynthesis but downregulated phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, which together determined the spectrum of red color expression in pepper fruit. Our results provide a better understanding of the impact of N nutrition on pepper fruit color formation and related physiology, and identification of target metabolites for enhancement of nutritional quality and consumer appeal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new functional product using Mediterranean ingredients (tomato, tomato peel powder and olive powder) was formulated where two different concentrations of protein (1 and 2%) and peel (2 and 4%) were tested. Olive powder was kept at a constant concentration of 2%. Physico-chemical, Rheological, and Sensorial analysis were carried out on the formulated samples. Soluble protein content was found as the highest in the sample containing 4% peel and 2% protein and it was affected by the pH and tomato peel concentration. Rheological results reveal shear-thinning behavior, as defined by the Herschel-Bulkley model, with protein and peel concentrations having a major influence on yield stress and viscosity. A positive trend was noticed between apparent viscosity and peel concentration, meantime protein concentration affected apparent viscosity adversely. Contrary relation between consistency index (k) values and apparent viscosity illustrate the complex interaction between protein and peel, particularly at higher concentrations. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the complicated sensory landscape of tomato products with different quantities of pea protein and tomato peel. While higher tomato peel and protein levels have no direct impact on rheological qualities, they do add to astringency and sourness, which influences overall acceptability. Remarkably, the sample with the greatest quantities of peel and protein exhibits a delicate balance, with a loss in perceived tomato taste intensity and overall acceptability offsetting an increase in astringency. In terms of overall acceptability, the most preferred beverage was selected as the sample formulated with 2% peel and 1% protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the synthesis and the antibacterial properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) incorporated zinc phosphate nanocomposite-mediated dragon fruit extract (BC-ZP-DF). The composite was prepared by a three-step process that involved bacterial cellulose (BC), zinc phosphate (ZP), and nanocomposite BC-ZP synthesis. BC was prepared by fermenting coconut water with the components of ammonium sulfate, acetic acid, and Acetobacter xylinum culture. Zinc phosphate was made through the green synthesis method by reacting zinc nitrate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate using a sensitizer agent from red dragon fruit peel extract (DF) with volume variations of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mL. The composite was prepared by immersing BC with zinc phosphate. Phase crystallinity, functional group, and morphology of the samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and SEM. It was found that the nanocomposite was constructed by the nano green of zinc phosphate in the form of a hopeite structure with antibacterial PO43- and OH functional groups. Morphological analysis using SEM revealed that the nanocomposites contained various small powder grains. Based on the FTIR spectrum, XRD pattern, and surface morphology of composite film, the incorporation of zinc phosphate in the BC framework was confirmed. The antibacterial activity tests of nanocomposite films using Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria revealed that the nanocomposite was highly effective in inhibiting both bacteria, and the nanocomposite BC-ZP-DF10 film had the strongest inhibition. The results of the air filter test exhibited that the composition was efficient on all films with the highest percent of efficiency (%E) of 90.10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of phenolic compounds during digestion is important for their bioactive effects in the digestive tract. The aim was to study the various phenolic compounds occurring in the peel and flesh of apples in in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, focusing on the behavior of chlorogenic acids. Additionally, the behavior of individual chlorogenic acids (chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, and cryptochlorogenic) was studied in models of simulated salivary, gastric, and intestinal fluid electrolyte solutions (SSF, SGF, SIF). At the end of the intestinal phase of the digestion of peel and flesh, the amount of recovered dihydrochalcones and flavonols increased or was similar to the amount in the gastric phase, which showed their stability. Anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols decreased, which suggests their biotransformation. Chlorogenic acid isomerized into neochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acid: chlorogenic acid from the peel into 22% and 41% of the isomers in the salivary and intestinal phases, respectively; chlorogenic acid from the flesh into 12% of the isomers in the intestinal phase. Similarly, chlorogenic acid isomerized in model solutions (20% and 26% of the isomers in SSF and SIF, respectively). Neochlorogenic and cryptochlorogenic acid isomerized in SSF and SIF into other two forms. They were all stable in SGF. For bioactive effects in the digestive tract, the biotransformation of chlorogenic acids should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Solanine and α-chaconine are the two most predominant glycoalkaloids (GAs) present in potato. Potato peel contains a high concentration of GAs, which are especially interesting for application in the pharmaceutical industry due to their different beneficial properties (such as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipyretic, antiviral, fungicide, and antibiotic activities, among others); so, potato peel waste can be valorized by extracting these biologically active compounds. For this, a green, quick, and efficient miniaturized analytical approach based on ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) combined with HPLC-DAD was developed to quantify α-solanine and α-chaconine in potato peel. Some parameters of the extraction were optimized, including the extraction method, the type of solvent, and the sample/solvent ratio, by a three-factor, three-level (33) full factorial experimental design. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained with UAE using methanol as a solvent and a sample/solvent ratio of 1:10 (w/v, g/mL). The analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep) tool was used to assess the greenness of the methods used. The tool revealed an acceptable green analysis, with 0.61 points. The method was validated and applied to the evaluation of GAs in the peel of 15 commercial varieties of potato. The amount of glycoalkaloids found in the samples evaluated ranged from 143 to 1273 mg/kg and from 117 to 1742 mg/kg dry weight for α-solanine and α-chaconine, respectively. These results reveal the important variability that exists between potato varieties; so, their analysis is of great importance to select the most suitable ones for biovalorization (e.g., the Amandine and Rudolph varieties, with around 3000 mg/kg, in total, of both GAs). To provide higher stability to the peel during storage, freeze-drying or a medium-temperature drying process resulted preferable to avoid GA degradation. Overall, this study will contribute to the expansion of the future biovalorization of potato peel waste as well as provide a powerful analytical tool for GA analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used to extract bioactive compounds from apple (Malus domestica) peel waste from three different Italian cultivars. The bioactive fractions were extracted applying a temperature of 60 °C and a pressure of 250 bar for 15 min with 20% ethanol as co-solvent, at a flow rate of 2 mL/min. The total polyphenol (TP), anthocyanin (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), and antioxidant activity contents (TACs) were measured, while chromatographic analyses were performed to highlight the differences between the extracts. The Stark cultivar had the highest levels of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid, while the Royal Gala cultivar showed the highest total antioxidant activity. SFE extracts were then tested for their effect on the mitochondrial NADH–ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) activity on mitochondria isolated from human embryonic kidney cells (HEK239). The Stark extract showed the most positive response in terms of NADH oxidation. The results obtained in this work highlight the potential of apple peel waste as a source of functional phytocompounds and suggest that Stark cultivar extracts may be exploited for pharmacological applications. This study supports the circular bioeconomy by promoting the use of waste products as a valuable resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia ficus-indica fruits have been widely used due to their nutritional composition and beneficial effects on health, particularly against chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, among others. In recent years, prickly pear peel and pulp extracts have been characterised, and a high number of bioactive compounds have been identified. This study aimed to analyse the triglyceride-lowering effect of prickly pear peel and pulp extracts obtained from fruits of three varieties (Pelota, Sanguinos, and Colorada) in 3T3-L1 maturing and mature adipocytes. At a concentration of 50 µg/mL, peel extracts from Colorada reduced triglyceride accumulation in pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes. Additionally, at 25 µg/mL, Pelota peel extract decreased triglyceride content in mature adipocytes. Moreover, maturing pre-adipocytes treated with 50 and 25 µg/mL of Sanguinos pulp extract showed a reduction of triglyceride accumulation. In addition, the lipid-lowering effect of the main individual betalain and phenolic compounds standards were assayed. Piscidic acid and isorhamnetin glycoside (IG2), found in Colorada peel extract, were identified as the bioactive compounds that could contribute more notably to the triglyceride-lowering effect of the extract. Thus, the betalain and phenolic-rich extracts from Opuntia ficus indica fruits may serve as an effective tool in obesity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With plastic packaging posing severe risk on ecosystem, there is a crucial need for the development of sustainable and eco‐friendly packaging materials for food preservation. This work aims to develop cucumber peel extract imbued into dragon fruit peel pectin films for meat packaging. The cucumber peel extract and dragon fruit peel pectin were obtained by via the environmentally benign microwave‐assisted method. Incorporation of cucumber peel extract led to an enhancement in the density and thickness of the pectin thin films. In addition to improving the tensile strength, antioxidant potential, and opacity of the films, the water‐barrier properties were also augmented. Trials on chicken meat indicated lower pH changes, weight loss, and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) values during the refrigerated storage tenure. Thus, our work paves the path for the design of a sustainable packaging for meat and simultaneously addresses the valorization of fruit peel wastes. Highlights: Dragon fruit peel pectin, cucumber peel extract obtained by microwave method.Peel extract‐imbued pectin thin films were fabricated using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizer.Addition of peel extract enhanced the density and opacity of films.Films have good tensile strength, water‐barrier, and antioxidant properties.Chicken meat packaging suggested lower pH, weight loss, and TVB‐N values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment has attracted much attention in recent years as a potential source of water, and there are some concerns about its safety for human use. Eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent materials were successfully synthesized from several peels, such as orange, banana, pomegranate, avocado, kiwi, etc., and were used as natural adsorbents or as activated carbons derived from these peels for water and wastewater treatment. In this review, the latest research focusing on the effective modification of these peels for the removal of several pollutants found in wastewaters are summarized and compared, such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, heavy metals, and anions that are released in waste and have a negative impact on human and animal health. In this review, focus is given to activated carbon produced from fruit peels. Moreover, fruit peels as adsorbent materials, without previously being converted to activated carbon, are of limited use in the recent literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of fruit peel wastes to grow thraustochytrids for nutritional enrichment of wastes will lower environmental and economic costs associated with feedstock specific for aquaculture industries. In this study, high-carbohydrate content agricultural wastes, such as orange, pineapple, banana, and mausambi fruit peels were enriched with essential fatty acids producing thraustochytrids Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276. Characterizations of fruit peels revealed the presence of high carbohydrate content (9–16%) and reducing sugars essential for the growth of thraustochytrids. Optimization for lipid production of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM) in combination with different concentrations of fruit peels in solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. Fruit peels composed of SSF experiments were designed using a central composite design. Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells efficiently utilized the sugar components of fruit peels for their growth and lipid accumulation. Different SSF composites made of fruit peels were significantly enriched with fatty acids of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells. Culturing Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells with these waste materials demonstrated distinct responses towards lipid accumulation at different compositions. The optimized SSF composite consists of 9.91 g 100 mL−1 orange, 5 g 100 mL−1 mausambi, 4.12 g 100 mL−1 pineapple, and 8.01 g 100 mL−1 banana peels and was enriched with 8.37% of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276-derived lipids. This study expands the benefits and bioprocessing potential of essential fatty acids producing Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 along with fruit peel wastes which a frontier in circular bioeconomy and valorizing waste for usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hesperidin, a flavonoid glycoside, is widely found in the peels and rinds of citrus fruits, offering various physiological benefits. However, its effectiveness is hindered by challenges related to insolubility and low bioavailability. To overcome these obstacles, we developed the hesperetin-7-glucoside -β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (HCD). This complex demonstrates superior solubility and bioavailability compared to hesperidin. In a previous study where participants consumed 300 mg/day of HCD for 12 weeks, there was a notable improvement in endothelial dysfunction. Importantly, no significant adverse clinical events were reported during this period. Objective: To evaluate the safety of the excessive intake of HCD in healthy Japanese subjects. Methods: Fourteen healthy male and female volunteers (with a mean age of 39.1±9.1) participated in this excessive HCD intake clinical trial. Subjects took 1500 mg/day HCD, which was five times the dosage of 300 mg/day HCD, for 4 consecutive weeks. Physical examination, blood tests, and urin tests were performed during this period. Results: Results demonstrated no significant differences at 2, and 4 weeks compared to the baseline at 0 weeks with 1500 mg HCD (equivalent to 195 mg HPTG) supplementation in healthy subjects. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that there are no safety concerns when consuming 1500 mg of HCD daily, continuously for 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit peel color is one of the important indicators affecting fruit quality, and is also an important basis for consumers to judge the quality of the fruit. The aim of this work was to explore the changes in peel color and physico-chemical quality of citrus fruits during post-harvest storage. In this paper, three kinds of citrus fruits including Gannan navel oranges, Guangxi Orah and Honey oranges have been chosen as test materials. The basic peel color indexes (L, a, b) of different parts were determined using a spectrophotometer, and the other indexes (a=b, C, H, s, CCI) were further calculated from the formula. At the same time, the weight loss rate, decay rate, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and Brix-to-acid ratio (TSS/TA) were measured during storage. The results showed that during storage, the peel color indexes a, b and C of the three citrus species increased notably and L decreased significantly, while a=b, s and CCI of Gannan navel oranges and Guangxi Orah gradually decreased. However, the role of change in honey oranges is the opposite. The weight loss rate, decay rate, TSS/TA of all three citrus fruits gradually increased and TA content gradually decreased. The experimental results further showed that there were significant differences in the main peel color indexes between different citrus varieties during storage, and the main peel color indexes of different parts of the same variety also differed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study carried out to determine the pomological characteristics of local pomegranate genotypes grown in Kahta district center and Bostanli, Eceler, Balli, Kilisk, Sarica, and Narince villages of Adıyaman province, one orchard belonging to a grower in each region and 1 genotype in each orchard were determined. 10 fruits in each genotype were harvested, and pomological measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. The largest fruit was obtained with the Sarıca genotype and Narince was the genotype with the smallest fruit. In genotypes, the fruit weight was between 196.300-328.909 g, the fruit length 61.528-72.801 mm, and the fruit width between 73.047-86.613 mm. Total aril weight was between 94.144-203.567 g and the fruit volume was between 188.333-327.000. The Sarıca genotype had the highest juice volume and the lowest juice ratio was recorded in the Eceler genotype. Calyx length was longer in the Sarıca genotype and the highest values in terms of calyx radius were recorded with the Kilisk genotype. The Eceler genotype had thicker shells and the Narince genotype had thinner shells. The number of chambers in the genotypes was between 5 and 6. There were significant differences between genotypes in terms of fruit skin and aril color. The soluble solids content (SSC) in genotypes was determined between 12.011-17.267, pH was 3.583-4.073 and total acidity (TA) was 0.736-1.489%. Phenolic compounds such as protocatechuic acid, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, floridzin, vanillic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid were detected in pomegranate fruit, and rutin was phenolic compound with the highest concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in the quality of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) fruit after harvest is mainly dehydration. Rambutan fruit peel is often dark (brown) and fruit rot due to fungal disease. This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus bacteria strains [Lactobacillus plantarum CC6 (CC6), Lactobacillus fermentum DC2 (DC2), Lactobacillus fermentum DGMC2 (DGMC2)] with/without supplement combinations [chitosan 0.03% (Chito), alginate 0.03% (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose 0.5% (CMC)] on the quality of Java rambutan fruit during storage at 13 °C, and included a sample without treatment with bacteria and chemical considered as the control. The results showed that among 16 treatments on rambutan fruits immediately after harvesting, the four treatments that showed the best results were CC6-Chito, DC2-Chito, CC6-CMC and DC2–SA, and DC2-Chito was more effective than the others. However, all four of these treatments supported the preservation of rambutan fruit, reducing both weight loss and browning of the skin and stem, and kept the infection rate at the lowest level. The brightness and peel color values were highest for these treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spaceflight storage of seeds is known to cause mutations affecting both their quality and the mature plants originating from them. To study the effects of space stress, tomato seeds of two cultivars (Lotus and Autumn rhapsody) were subjected to half a year of storage at the International Space Station (ISS), and then, sown in a greenhouse to produce tomato fruits. The space-treated plants gave smaller fruits with a stable total yield not significantly different from that of the control plants. Space-treated tomatoes showed significantly higher levels of dry matter, dietary fiber, monosaccharides and citric and malic acids and lower values of oxalic acid compared to the control plants. The pulp of space-treated fruits had 1.44–1.70 times lower levels of carotenoids, while their peel contained a 1.27–1.90 times higher pigment amount compared to the control plants. No significant changes in the total antioxidant activity (AOA), photosynthetic pigments and phenolic (TP) and proline content were recorded in the fruits due to seed spaceflight storage. Contrarily, space-treated tomatoes showed decreased levels of Ca, Sr and Mo and increased Se both in the fruit pulp and peel. The concentration of Fe and especially Pb was lower in space-treated fruit pulp. Positive correlations between Se and dry matter, Ca and Sr, Ca and Co, Ca and Fe, and Cr and carotenoids, and negative correlations between Se and Mo, Se and K, and Mo and dry matter were recorded. The results indicate that seed stress caused by long-term spaceflight affects both the biochemical characteristics and mineral composition of tomato fruits and causes the peel/pulp redistribution of carotenoids as well as macro- and micro-elements, improving Se accumulation levels in the fruit peel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rambutan is a tropical tree and its fruit has several favorable characteristics. To understand how the color of the rambutan fruit peel develops, the transcriptome, flavonoid metabolome, and carotenoid metabolome data of two rambutan cultivars, 'BY2' and 'BY7', which show yellow and red peels at maturity, respectively, were comprehensively analyzed at three developmental stages. We identified 26 carotenoid components and 53 flavonoid components in these cultivars. Anthocyanins were the main component contributing to the red color of 'BY7' after reaching ripeness. The carotenoid content decreased sharply as the fruit matured. Hence, we speculated that flavonols were the main contributors to the yellow color of the 'BY2' peel. In total, 6805 differentially expressed genes were screened by transcriptome analysis; the majority of them were enriched in metabolic pathways and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis results revealed that in addition to MYB and bHLH, ERF, WRKY, MYB-related, and C3H were the main potential transcription factors regulating the color of the rambutan peel. In addition, we also identified 12 structural genes associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. The research findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of color acquisition in rambutan fruit peels, laying the foundation for the quality control of rambutan and the cultivation of differently colored cultivars of rambutan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit cracking, a widespread physiological disorder affecting various fruit crops and vegetables, has profound implications for fruit quality and marketability. This mini review delves into the multifaceted factors contributing to fruit cracking and emphasizes the pivotal roles of environmental and agronomic factors in its occurrence. Environmental variables such as temperature, relative humidity, and light exposure are explored as determinants factors influencing fruit cracking susceptibility. Furthermore, the significance of mineral nutrition and plant growth regulators in mitigating fruit cracking risk is elucidated, being calcium deficiency identified as a prominent variable in various fruit species. In recent years, precision farming and monitoring systems have emerged as valuable tools for managing environmental factors and optimizing fruit production. By meticulously tracking parameters such as temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and fruit skin temperature, growers can make informed decisions to prevent or alleviate fruit cracking. In conclusion, effective prevention of fruit cracking necessitates a comprehensive approach that encompasses both environmental and agronomic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural wastes are potential sustainable adsorbents since they are available in large quantities, are low-cost, and may require little or no treatment, in some cases. In this study, several fruit peels, such as banana, orange, and pomegranate, were collected from local markets and prepared by a simple and eco-friendly method and used as natural adsorbents for the removal of both anionic (Reactive Red 120 (RR120), Reactive Black 5 (RB5), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)) and cationic Methylene Blue (MB) dyes found in wastewaters. Many industries, such as leather and textiles, can release huge amounts of synthetic dyes into the wastewater during dyeing processes. These are one of the most important pollutants of water pollution as they cause enormous damage to the water body and also affect the health of organisms due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The search for a sustainable and at the same time efficient material for the removal of a wide variety of dyes is the innovation of this work. These peels were prepared by washing, drying, grinding, and finally sieving, under natural sustainable conditions. Porosometry (BET analysis), FTIR, SEM/EDS, and XRD techniques were used to characterize the fruit peels before and after the adsorption process. Factors affecting the adsorption of dyes (adsorbent dosage, pH solution, initial concentration of dyes, contact time, and temperature) were investigated. According to the results, in terms of the effectiveness of fruit peels as (natural) adsorbent materials, for anionic dyes, 5.0–6.0 g/L of banana or orange dry peels was sufficient to remove near or even more than 90% anionic dyes at pH 2.0, and 4.0 g/L was sufficient to remove 98% of cationic MB dye at pH 9.0. Similar amount of pomegranate peels had lower efficiency for anionic dyes (50–70%), while cationic MB was still efficiently removed (98%) at pH 9.0. Moreover, the adsorption process in all cases was found to better fit to pseudo-second-order model, in comparison to pseudo-first-order model. According to isotherms, Freundlich model fitted better in some cases to the equilibrium data, while the Langmuir model in others. Finally, this study demonstrates the viability of reusing the banana, orange, and pomegranate peel adsorbents for eight, four, and five cycles, showing a gradual reduction of around 50% of their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Huangguan' pear is one of the high-quality pear cultivars produced in China. However, the bagged fruit of the 'Huangguan' pear often suffers from peel browning spots after rain during their mature period. In this study, in an effort to discover the impact of bagging treatments on the occurrence of peel browning spots and fruit quality, fruits were covered by single-layer, two-layer, or triple-layer paper bags six weeks after reaching full bloom. The results showed that the bagged fruits were characterized by smooth surfaces and reduced lenticels compared with the unbagged ones. The unbagged and the two-layer bagged fruits had yellow/green peels, while the single- and triple-layer bagged ones had yellow/white peels. Compared with the unbagged fruits, the bagged fruits had higher vitamin C (Vc) contents and values of peel color indexes L and a and lower soluble solid contents (SSCs), titratable acid (TA) contents, absorbance index differences (IAD), and b values. Additionally, the triple-layer bagged group was superior to other groups in terms of fruit quality, but it also had the maximum incidence of peel browning spots. Before and after the appearance of peel browning spots, the bagged fruits had smoother and thinner cuticles compared with the unbagged ones. Furthermore, the triple-layer bagged fruits had minimum lignin contents and maximum phenolic contents in their peels, with minimum activity of lignin synthesis-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), as well as minimum expressions of relevant genes such as cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR), 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (4CL6), and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H1). It was deduced that POD activity and the relative expressions of CAD9, CCR3, CCR4, and CCR5 may play key roles in the occurrence of peel browning spots. In summary, lignin synthesis affected the incidence of peel browning spots in bagged 'Huangguan' pears. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the incidence of peel browning spots in 'Huangguan' pears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The combined copigmentation and layer‐by‐layer (LBL) hydrophobic coating technique was developed to preserve anthocyanins in thermally processed (TP) whole blueberry fruit in our previous study. This study investigated the impact of the developed technique on the cell wall composition and structure, anthocyanin stability and fruit firmness in non‐thermally (high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)) processed whole blueberry fruit during the refrigerated storage at 4 °C ~ 7 °C. Meanwhile, the wet‐milling process was utilised to treat cellulose nanofiber (CNF) based first layer coating for enhancing adhesion and improving the appearance of LBL coating on the fruit. The developed anthocyanin preservation technique retained significantly (P < 0.05) higher chelator‐soluble pectin in both thermally and HHP processed fruit (102.8 ± 7.0 and 100.8 ± 5.1 mg g−1 dry fruit skin, respectively). The technique also enhanced fruit anthocyanin stability reflected by the bathochromic and hyperchromic effect on fruit skin extract. In addition, it significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the firmness of HHP (551.2 ± 80.7 g) or TP (579.8 ± 90.9 g) processed fruit during the refrigerated or ambient storage compared with control (488.9 ± 75.8 g). The wet‐milling process was able to fibrillate aggregated cellulosic fibres in the coating suspension, thus improved the adhesion and appearance of LBL coating onto the fruit surface. This study demonstrated that the combined copigmentation and LBL coating, along with wet milling treatment of CNF‐based coating, can effectively preserve anthocyanins in HHP processed whole blueberry fruit during extended refrigeration storage owning to the modification of fruit surface cell wall composition and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India agricultural and packaging technology practices are constantly evolving to enhance crop production by improving soil quality and creating suitable environments, respectively. Mulching and improved packaging films have emerged as popular methods, but the use of non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE) for both poses disposal challenges. To address this, the focus has shifted to the biodegradable polymer, polylactic acid (PLA), in combination with fruit peel waste powder as filler. This literature review paper was written to describe a detailed survey about PLA with the incorporation of increasing amounts of fruit peel waste to enhance the properties of the PLA film. The primary aim was to explore the potential of PLA mulch film with the incorporation of fruit peel waste as an environmentally friendly alternative for mulching application in agriculture. To date we know of no review article published regarding the incorporation of fruit peel waste as a filler within the PLA matrix to enhance the properties of the films used in agriculture and the packaging industry. Moreover, this review paper also describes recent trends in the application and methods of preparation of PLA mulch films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most fruit peels after harvest crops are intentionally discarded into landfills, resulting in the waste of carbon resources and environmental pollution. Since fruit waste is rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, transforming fruit waste into ultralight and ultraporous aerogels can contribute to environmental mitigation. Here we review aerogel production from fruit waste with emphasis on fruit waste occurrence and composition, synthesis of aerogels, properties of aerogels, applications to water treatment, and economical aspects. Pretreatment, cross-linking, the drying process, and post-treatment modification are major steps that influence the porosity, hydrophobicity, surface area, and morphology of fruit waste-derived aerogels. Fruit waste-derived aerogels are recyclable, up to 15 times in the cases of dye and oil treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Basic Health Research data in Indonesia in 2020 shows that the diarrhea morbidity rate in Indonesia is still high. In Indonesia, the unripe fruit of the Kayu banana (Musa paradisiaca L. var. Kayu) is a drug that is often used empirically by the people of Senduro village, Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, to treat diarrhea. This study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial activity of unripe fruit peel, unripe fruit flesh and unripe fruit. A disc diffusion test was selected to assess the sensitivity of each sample to Escherichia coli. The disc dilution was used to determine the value of MIC and MBC in Escherichia coli. Total phenolic content to determine phenolic levels in samples that are suspected of providing antibacterial activity. Analysis of secondary metabolite profiles using the UPLC-Q-TOF/MS instrument. Unripe fruit peel extract shows more optimal antibacterial activity compared to other extracts. The diameter value of the inhibitory zone of the unripe fruit peel extract is 17 mm and the yield of a large ΔOD is -1.3620 at a concentration of 10 % w/v. Based on the calculation results from the regression equation, TPC fruit extract was obtained by 8.6 %, TPC flesh extracts by 6.1 % and TPC from bark extract by 10.8 %. Based on the data from the interpretation of compound content analysis using UPLC-QToFMS, it can be seen that there are 25 mayor compounds. These results suggest that the unripe fruit peel extract of banana Kayu has the potential to be antibacterial against Escherichia coli. The application of this research is as a reference for the development of antidiarrheal standardized herbal medicines and the implication of this research is to support the independence of national medicinal raw materials in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits are largely consumed due to their unique and pleasant aromas. Citrus hybrids have been developed to enhance their flavors and bioactivities. Citrus aroma depends on the composition of the volatile compounds in citrus essential oils (CEOs), which are mostly located in the peels. During the extraction of CEOs, a specific series of chemical reactions occurred depending on the extraction methods (CP, cold pressing; HD, hydrodistillation), leading to variations in the composition of volatile compounds. In this study, the orange and the tangor which is a hybrid between C. reticulata × C. sinensis were investigated to compare the changes in volatile compounds based on the extraction methods. Results showed that the CP‐specific volatile compounds were sesquiterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenes, and fatty acid derivatives, while the HD‐specific volatile compounds were terpinyl cation derivatives, limonene, and 4‐vinylguaiacol. On the other hand, the contents of some volatile compounds ((E)‐ocimene, α‐terpinene, and α‐terpinolene) were affected by the Citrus species rather than by the extraction methods. In particular, during HD, terpinene‐4‐ol and 4‐vinylguiacol, known as off‐flavor compounds in citrus juice, were formed more abundantly in the orange than in the tangor. In conclusion, these results provide comprehensive data on essential oils, especially those derived from oranges and tangors, for selecting the appropriate extraction method for obtaining a higher yield and quality of citrus flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of color-causing compounds from wastewater is a significant challenge that industries encounter due to their toxic, carcinogenic, and harmful properties. Despite the extensive research and development of various techniques with the objective of effectively degrading color pollutants, the challenge still persists. This paper introduces a simple technique for producing iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) using orange fruit peel for sustainable dye degradation in aqueous environment. The observation of color change and the measurement of UV–visible absorbance at 240 nm provided a confirmation for the development of Fe2O3 NPs. Transmission electron microscopy examination demonstrated that the Fe2O3 NPs have an agglomerated distribution and forming spherical structures with size ranging from 25–80 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis supported the existence of Fe and O. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy conducted to investigate the involvement of orange peel extract in the reduction, capping, and synthesis of Fe2O3 NPs from the precursor salt. Fe2O3 NPs showed a photocatalytic remediation of 97%, for methylene blue under visible light irradiation. Additionally, prepared NPs exhibited concentration depended biofilm inhibition action against E. coli and S. aureus. In conclusion, Fe2O3 NPs can efficiently purify water and suppress pathogens due to their strong degrading activity, reusability, and biofilm inhibition property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to assess the influence of red dragon fruit peels ratio (RDF-PR) from two species, Hylocereus hybridum (HH) and Hylocereus undatus (HU), and particle size (PS) on quality parameters of red dragon fruit peel powder (RDF-PP) and its further application in emulsified alpaca-based sausages as partial substitutes of pork-back fat. A three-level full factorial design (nine treatments) was employed to evaluate the effect of RDF-PR (HH(0%):HU(100%), HH(50%):HU(50%), and HH(100%):HU(0%)) and PS (499–297, 296–177, and <177 µm) on the dependent variables: L*, a*, b*, C, h°, water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, swelling capacity, pectin yield, degree of esterification (analysed through FT-IR), and crude fibre content. The data analysed through a response surface methodology showed that treatment one (T1) is the best with the optimised conditions at 100% HU RDF-PR and PS of <177 µm. The statistical validation of T1 exhibited the highest water-holding capacity (32.1 g/g peel), oil-holding capacity (2.20 g oil/g peel), and pectin yield (27.1%). A completely randomised design (four formulations) was then used to assess the effect of partial replacement of pork-back fat by T1 in emulsified alpaca-based sausages on the colourimetric, physicochemical, and texture properties (hardness, chewiness, cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, and adhesive force). Likewise, a sensory hedonic scale was employed to evaluate the appearance, colour, odour, flavour, texture, and overall acceptability of sausages. The results revealed that 65.7% of pork-back fat content was successfully replaced compared with a control formulation. Additionally, F3 showed significantly (p < 0.05) better colourimetric, physicochemical, and textural characteristics, such as lower hardness (34.8 N) and chewiness (21.7 N) and higher redness (a* = 19.3) and C (22.9), compared to a control formulation. This research presents RDF-PP as a promising fat substitute for developing healthier, reduced-fat meat products using fibre-rich agroindustry by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orlando tangelo fruits, originating from tropical and subtropical regions, have demonstrated a tendency to be susceptible to chilling injury when subjected to cold storage conditions. This study investigated the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) (50 µM), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (5 mM), and MeJA (50 µM) + GABA (5 mM) on chilling injury of Orlando tangelo fruits throughout cold storage (90 days at 3 ± 0.5 °C plus 5 days at 20 °C, shelf life). The findings demonstrated that all treatments considerably decreased fruit weight loss. Although all treatments significantly decreased chilling injury, MeJA treatment resulted in the least amount of chilling injury. Malonaldehyde was also significantly lower in the treated fruits in comparison to the control. Maximum phenol and flavonoid were observed in the MeJA treatment, which was 1.47 and 1.63 times higher than the control fruit, respectively. On average, the antioxidant activity of the treatments was 1.33 times higher than that of the control. The treatments increased the activity of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes in fruit juice and peel. Whereas, the highest activity of CAT and POD enzymes in the peel was observed in the treatments of MeJA and MeJA + GABA, respectively. Compared to other treatments, MeJA significantly increased the activity of the CAT enzyme in the fruit peel. Even though MeJA exhibited a more pronounced positive effect, the overall results indicate that both individual treatments and MeJA + GABA could be utilized to enhance the cold tolerance of Orlando tangelo fruit during extended periods of cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the utilization of seed-used watermelon peel and mitigate environmental pollution, a hammer-blade seed-used watermelon peel crusher was designed and manufactured, and its structure and working parameters were optimized. Initially, the seed-used watermelon peel crusher and seed-used watermelon peel model were constructed, and the model's parameters were calibrated. Subsequently, the discrete element method (EDEM2022) was employed to investigate the effects of spindle speed (MSS), the number of hammers (NCB), and feeding volume (FQ) on the pulverizing process. Multivariate nonlinear regression prediction models were developed for the percentage of pulverized particle size less than 8 mm (Psv), pulverizing efficiency (Ge), and power density (Ppd), followed by the analysis of influencing factors and prediction models using ANOVA. The multiobjective optimization of the prediction model utilizing the improved hybrid metacellular genetic algorithm CellDE resulted in solutions of 90.02%, 89.57%, and 8.35 × 10−3 t/(h-kw) for Psv-opt, Ge-opt, and Ppd-opt, respectively. The corresponding optimal interaction values of MSS, NCB, and FQ were determined to be 1500 r/min, 108, and 150 kg/min. Finally, a prototype test was conducted by combining the optimal factor interaction values, yielding statistically calculated values of 96.63%, 92.37%, and 7.76 × 10−3 t/(h-kw) for Psv-pr, Ge-pr, and Ppd-pr, respectively. The results indicate that the optimized values of Psv-opt, Ge-opt, and Ppd-opt models have an error of less than 8% compared to the statistically calculated values of the prototype test and outperform the values of Psv-ori, Ge-ori, and Ppd-ori obtained under the original parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dessert banana is a popular fruit worldwide, but its ripening process is greatly accelerated by high temperatures, which eventually leads to an unpleasant taste and the appearance of spots on the skin of the fruits. To slow down the ripening of bananas, expensive strategies are used, which are usually not practical for conventional farmers in less developed countries. In this study, we try to find a less costly alternative. Therefore, the effects of coatings of lemon peel extract (2.5%, 5%, and 10%), calcium chloride (4%), and glycerol (2%) on the shelf life and postharvest quality of the banana fruit (Cavendish) stored at 19–22 °C and 40–60% relative humidity were investigated. Treatment with a mixture of 2.5% lemon peel extract and 2% glycerol resulted in an extension of the shelf life of the dessert banana by up to 6 days and no detectable fungal infestation. The coating solution is an effective alternative to extend the shelf life and reduce quality losses in bananas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wendan (a type of pomelo), a popular fruit in China, is less known in other countries. Its peel is widely used in food and traditional medicine. Four different origins (Xuzhou, Taizhou, Zhangzhou, and Meizhou) of Wendan pomelo were selected, and crude extracts were obtained by the Soxhlet extraction method. The composition of Wendan peel was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in positive ion mode. The compounds were identified by searching the Metabolite Link (METLIN), the Spectral Database for Organic Compounds (SDBS), and by referring to literature reports. A total of 20 compounds were identified among the samples from the four origins, of which 8 compounds were common. The majority of the compounds belonged to the flavonoid and coumarin classes; Meranzin hydrate was identified for the first time in pomelo peel. In vitro antioxidant activity experiments showed that samples from Taizhou, Zhejiang, exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with values of 0.59 mg/mL, 97.06 μmol TE/g, and 60.62 μmol Fe2+/g, respectively. Samples from Zhangzhou, Fujian, showed antioxidant activity second only to the samples from Taizhou, Zhejiang. The sample from Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, showed excellent inhibitory activity in the α-glucosidase inhibition assay (IC50 = 7.99 mg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus peels are an important by-product of citrus processing industries, but a large part is considered waste. There has been increased attention in the last five years on these industrial by-products, especially those containing residual essential oils (EOs). Lemon, orange, and mandarin peels from Egypt were subjected to hydro-distillation to obtain EOs, which were analyzed via mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and by building Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS-MN) for the purpose of visually exploring the volatile components of citrus species. The constructed MN revealed that D-Limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene are the dominant volatile constituents in the three Egyptian citrus species. The EOs from three citrus peels exhibited promising activities as antioxidants using two tested methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) compared with vitamin C. Lemon EO proved excellent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Additionally, the three citrus EOs showed good activities against the yeast Candida albicans. Regarding the anti-inflammatory assay, the three citrus EOs showed promising activities as COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors. This study concludes that EOs extracted from citrus peel waste can be valorized as an innovative strategy for food preservation or may be incorporated in cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations in alignment with circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen kilograms of minced meat were divided into 4 groups (about 3.5 Kg for each group). All samples were examined to study the effect of the addition of 1% fruit peel extracts (banana, orange, and pomegranate) on the extension of the shelf life of such food article. Reduction of APC after 6 days in samples treated with banana, orange, and pomegranate peel reached 83.9 %, 91.6 %, and 95.4%, respectively and reduction of articles coliform reached 75.8%, 90.3 %, and 93% while S. aureus count reduced by 77.5%, 89%, and 96.5 %, respectively. Fruit peels decreased pH values compared with the control sample during storage at 4°C for 10 days. pH values of samples treated with banana peel decreased from 5.63 to 5.61 at zero time and from 6.71 to 5.84 on the 6th day and orange peel decreased to 5.58 and to 5.70 while pomegranate to 5.56 and to 5.67 at zero time and on the 6th day of storage, respectively. TVB-N values of samples treated with banana decreased from 1.97 to 1.89 at zero time and from 29.58 to 9.83 on the 6th day and orange peel decreased to 1.84 and to 7.90 while pomegranate to 1.81 and to 6.88 at zero time and on the 6th day. TBA values of samples treated with banana peel decreased from 1.22 to 0.25 on the 6th day but orange peel decreased to 0.02 and to 0.19 and with pomegranate to 0.02 and to 0.14 at zero time and on the 6th day of storage, respectively. In general, the incorporation of banana, orange, and pomegranate peel powder into minced meat as natural preservatives improved color, odor, appearance, consistency, and overall acceptability and extended their shelf life during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common antibiotic, tetracycline (TC) is extensively used in the prevention and treatment bacterial dis¬eases in animals and is also used as a feed additive to promote the growth of animals. In this paper, a fluorescence quenching method based on nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) derived from pineapple peel was established for the rapid detection of TC. The blue fluorescent N-CQDs with high quantum yield were prepared by the hydrothermal method using pineapple peel and diethylenetriamine as precursors. The structure of N-CQDs was characterized by trans¬mission electron microscope, fourier infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the average particle size of N-CQDs was about 3.53 nm, which was mainly composed of C, N and 0, and the surface has oxygen-containing and nitrogen-containing groups. The fluorescence of N-CQDs was effectively quenched by static quenching and internal filtering effect. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the method had good linearity within 0.3-40 g/mL, and the detection limit was calculated to be 89.26 g/L. Moreover, the detection method has been applied to the determination of TC in pork, the recovery rate was 98.40%-106.02%. The results showed that the detection method could be applied to the rapid determination of TC in pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the preparation of an inexpensive, ecocompatible, and effective catalyst from the Bharatmoni (Musa AAA) plant for biodiesel synthesis using Jatropha curcas oil. The burnt ashes obtained from the Bharatmoni fruit peel, stem, and rhizome were calcined at 550°C for 2 h and characterized by analytical techniques. Utilization of CBS-550 catalyst achieved a higher yield of biodiesel (96.97%) within 12 min compared to CBP-550 (96.89% in 16 min) and CBR-550 (96.53% in 18 min) catalysts under optimum reaction parameters of 5 wt% of catalyst and 9 : 1 MTOMR at 65°C. This study described that catalyst having a higher concentration of potassium in its oxide and carbonate form has higher catalytic activity. The surface morphology of the prepared catalysts revealed mesoporous in nature. The kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the reactions catalyzed by the present catalysts follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model exhibiting a nonspontaneous and endothermic process. The reaction catalyzed by the CBS-550 catalyst revealed the lowest E a of 44.36 kJ mol-1 and is known to be the superior catalyst among the derived catalysts of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plinia cauliflora [Mart.] Kausel (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "jabuticaba," is a fruit species native to Brazil. Despite extensive widespread usage, its antiatherosclerotic properties' impact remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of a preparation obtained from the fruit peels of P. cauliflora (EEPC). Methods: Male New Zealand rabbits received a 1% cholesterol-supplemented diet for 60 days. On the thirtieth day, the animals were divided into five experimental groups and received, once a day, by the oral route, the EEPC (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), simvastatin (2.5 mg/kg), or vehicle for 30 days. At the end of the experimental period, peripheral blood and arterial branch samples were collected. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrotyrosine (NT), nitrite, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels were measured. Moreover, the catalase and superoxide dismutase levels were measured on the arterial samples. Histopathological analysis and arterial morphometry were also performed. Results and discussion: The oral administration of ESEG significantly lowered the levels of lipids in rabbits that were fed a CRD diet. This treatment also adjusted the protective system against oxidation in the arteries by decreasing the oxidation of lipids and proteins. Additionally, the levels of IL-1b, IL-6, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 in the bloodstream decreased significantly, and this was accompanied by a reduction of atherosclerotic lesions in all branches of the arteries. The findings suggest that EEPC may be a possible option for additional management of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nobiletin (NOB) is a bioflavonoid compound isolated from citrus fruit peels. The present study aimed to elucidate whether NOB facilitates the porcine sperm cryosurvival and embryo development after in vitro fertilization (IVF). To this end, spermatozoa were diluted and cryopreserved in a freezing extender supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM Nobiletin. The kinematic patterns of frozen-thawed (FT) sperm were assessed after 30 and 90 min incubation using a Sperm Class Analyzer (SCA). Viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured by fluorescence microscopy 30 min after thawing using SYBR-14/PI, PSA/FITC, and R123/PI, respectively. Lipid peroxidation was determined using MDA assay after incubation for 90 min. The addition of 100 μM and 150 μM NOB to the extender significantly improved sperm progressive motility, and acrosome integrity compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The proportion of viable spermatozoa was significantly higher in the 150 μM NOB group. MDA levels were less in 50 μM and 150 μM NOB treated groups compared to the control. In addition, IVF with FT sperm was used to assess the embryo developmental competence. Treatment with 150 μM NOB before cryopreservation increased the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates compared to the control group. Furthermore, the relative expression of POU5F1 and AMPK , genes related to pluripotency and cell differentiation were significantly upregulated in embryos resulting from NOB-treated sperm compared to the control group. These results suggest that Nobiletin is a functionally novel phytochemical to mitigate oxidative stress during the freezing-thawing of porcine spermatozoa as reflected by improved FT sperm quality and IVF outcome. • Supplementation with Nobiletin (NOB) improved porcine sperm cryo-survival. • NOB improves sperm freezability by lowering the lipid peroxidation of sperm cells. • NOB addition to the freezing extender enhanced the embryo development. • NOB affects the expression of cell differentiation and pluripotency genes in embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to extract pectin from various fruit peels, namely apple, orange, green citron, and pomegranate, and to evaluate the effects of various experimental conditions. The extraction was conducted at temperatures of 50–90 °C, with a solid‐liquid ratio of 0.03–0.08 g/mL, for 120–180 min. The Box–Behnken design was applied in a three‐level and four‐factor factorial approach, including 29 experiments for each extraction, with varying conditions. The interaction effects were investigated. Each experiment's conditions were optimized. RESULTS: The percentage yield varied (11.70–37.37%). The maximum yield was found in apples, whereas the lowest was in pomegranates. CONCLUSION: Under optimized experimental conditions,high‐quality pectin was extracted from pomegranate, orange, green citron, and apple peel waste. The extract was considered to be high methyl ester pectin with a degree of esterification greater than 50% and with an Anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content greater than 65%. The peel pectin that was studied could therefore be a food additive with numerous uses. The procedure developed here reuses waste resources effectively and contributes to a novel concept for exploring natural assets for use in food and pharmaceutical applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is responsible for causing Porcine pleuropneumonia (PCP) in pigs. However, using vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and control this disease has become more difficult due to increased bacterial resistance and weak cross-immunity between different APP types. Naringin (NAR), a dihydroflavonoid found in citrus fruit peels, has been recognized as having significant therapeutic effects on inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system. In this study, we investigated the effects of NAR on the inflammatory response caused by APP through both in vivo and in vitro models. The results showed that NAR reduced the number of neutrophils (NEs) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and decreased lung injury and the expression of proteins related to the NLRP3 inflammasome after exposure to APP. In addition, NAR inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) P65 in porcine alveolar macrophage (PAMs), reduced protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1, and reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by APP. Furthermore, NAR prevented the assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex by reducing protein interaction between NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC. NAR also inhibited the potassium (K+) efflux induced by APP. Overall, these findings suggest that NAR can effectively reduce the lung inflammation caused by APP by inhibiting the over-activated NF-κB/NLRP3 signalling pathway, providing a basis for further exploration of NAR as a potential natural product for preventing and treating APP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the peels of red and blonde oranges as well as lemons were efficiently (5.75–9.65% yield) extracted by hydroalcoholic solution with ultrasound assistance and employed as active molecule sources in the preparation of functional gummies. Antioxidant performances of the hydroalcoholic extracts were characterized by colorimetric assays, whereas LC–HRMS analyses identified the main bioactive compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids). The highest scavenging activity was recorded for lemon extract in an aqueous environment (IC50 = 0.081 mg mL−1). An ecofriendly grafting procedure was performed to anchor polyphenols to gelatin chains, providing macromolecular systems characterized by thermal analysis and antioxidant properties. Scavenger abilities (IC50 = 0.201–0.454 mg mL−1) allowed the employment of the conjugates as functional ingredients in the preparation of gummies with remarkable antioxidant and rheological properties over time (14 days). These findings confirmed the possible employment of highly polluting wastes as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for functional gummies preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus and related metabolic and vascular impairments are notable health problems. Fruits and vegetables contain phenolics that are beneficial to metabolic and oxidative health and useful in preventing associated disease. Scientific evidence has shown that some bioactive phenolics are more abundant in the non-edible parts (especially the peels) of many fruits than in their respective edible tissues. Fruits belonging to the Citrus and Prunus genera are commonly consumed worldwide, including in South Africa, and their non-edible wastes (peel and seed) have been shown to have antioxidative, metabolic and vascular pharmacological potentials and medicinal phytochemistry. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the pharmacological actions and phytochemical properties of the non-edible wastes of these fruits and understand how they could potentially be of medicinal relevance in oxidative, metabolic and vascular diseases, including diabetes, oxidative stress, obesity, hypertension and related cardiovascular impairments. In the absence of a previous review that has concomitantly presented the medicinal potentials of fruits wastes from both genera, this review presents a critical analysis of previous and recent perspectives on the medicinal potential of the non-edible wastes from the selected Citrus and Prunus fruits in metabolic, vascular and oxidative health. This review further exposes the medicinal phytochemistry, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms through the fruit wastes potentiates their therapeutic effects. A literature search was carried out on "PubMed" to identify peer-reviewed published (mostly 2015 and beyond) studies reporting the antidiabetic, antioxidative, antihypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of the non-edible parts of the selected fruits. The data of the selected studies were analyzed to understand the bioactive mechanisms, bioactive principles and toxicological profiles. The wastes (seed and peel) of the selected fruits had antioxidant, anti-obesogenic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and tissue protective potentials. Some phenolic acids and terpenes, as well as flavonoids and glycosides such as narirutin, nobiletin, hesperidin, naringin, naringenin, quercetin, rutin, diosmin, etc., were the possible bioactive principles. The peel and seed of the selected fruits belonging to the Citrus and Prunus genera are potential sources of bioactive compounds that could be of medicinal relevance for improving oxidative, metabolic and vascular health. However, there is a need for appropriate toxicological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The results show that ultrasound can be successfully implemented for the efficient extraction of anthocyanins from blackcurrant pomace. From a circular economy perspective, this research is dedicated to the food and pharmaceutical industries to show that blackcurrant pomace, considered a waste, can be a very valuable raw material for obtaining anthocyanins or food coloring. The article provides information for the industry on what anthocyanin extraction parameters are best, taking into account solvent, pomace/solvent share, temperature and time. The industry is currently trying to manage the waste generated during juice pressing. Berry pomace is an especially rich source of many bioactive compounds. Blackcurrant pomace is particularly valuable because of the large amount of extractable anthocyanins remaining in the fruit skin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) parameters on the content of anthocyanins and color parameters of blackcurrant pomace extracts. The pomace used for the study was very rich in anthocyanins—an average content of 853.2 mg/100 g fresh weight. The effect of temperature (25, 35, 45 °C), time (15, 30, 60 min) and material/solvent ratio (1:20 or 1:7) on extraction yield was analyzed. The extracts were obtained using two solvents: water–ethanol acidified with HCl and water acidified with citric acid. Either solvent type, as well as the other parameters of the extraction process, have an impact on the level of anthocyanins in the extracts. The lowest range of extraction yield (63–68%) was obtained for a 1:7 ratio with water–citric acid solvent. The highest range of extraction yield (74–93%) was obtained for a 1:7 ratio with water–ethanol solvent. The most efficient method was extraction in a water–ethanol solvent (50/50 v/v) acidified with HCl, at a 1:7 material/solvent ratio, at 35 °C, for 15 min, providing 93% process efficiency. A strong relationship (r > 0.991) was also found between anthocyanin content and color saturation (C*) or hue (h°) in the obtained extracts. Based on the E1% coloring strength results, all the extracts obtained can be considered strong colorants, especially those obtained with the water–citric acid solvent. Ultrasonic extraction can be successfully applied to extract pigments from blackcurrant pomace and obtain, for example, food coloring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation behind this study is to stress the worth of green amalgamation in the development of nanomaterials. Regarding this declaration, we said that we have examined the morphological, optical, underlying, and photocatalytic color debasement exercises of the incorporated ZrO2 nanoparticles as well as their biosynthesis by means of a response intervened by mythical serpent organic product bloom separate. UV-noticeable spectroscopy was utilized to identify a huge absorbance top at 360 nm. The utilization of SEM affirmed that the nanoparticles, which had a typical size of 17.5 nm, were circular in shape. The nanoparticles' zirconium (70.88%) and oxygen (29.12%) contents were checked utilizing energy-dispersive X-beam examination. The nanoparticles' X-beam powder diffraction (XRD) spectra demonstrated their crystallinity. While the information from HR-TEM shows particles that are 33.75 nm in size. When the photocatalytic movement of ZrO2 NPs was researched, Methyl Orange showed 54.2 % debasement following 120 minutes of UV openness and 68.50 % corruption following an hour and a half of UV openness, individually. This fresh-out of the plastic bio-ZrO2 nanoparticle was utilized to study the photocatalytic breakdown of methyl orange when presented with apparent light. The cationic color was separated by the engineered bio-ZrO2 shortly with 91.8 % corruption ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit are rich source of antioxidants and total phenolic compounds (TPC). They are helpful in improving human health. As the consumption of fruit is increasing day by day, its wastage is also increasing. Currently, there is an increasing interest worldwide in the extraction of valuable chemicals from underutilized agro-wastes to investigate their potential commercial applications in cosmetics, drugs, and food preservation. The peels of many fruits, which are a byproduct of underutilized fruit processing, are a great source of various bioactive substances, including tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, and particularly limonoids, which are uncommon in other plants. In this review, it is discussed how ultrasonic energy has great importance in extracting polyphenols. By applying ultrasonication with enzymolysis or solvent, the yeild of polyphenols extract increases. Polyphenols present in different fruit peels help in improving human health as a preventative treatment agent against several oxidative stress degenerative disorders. Ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) breaks the cell wall and intracelleluar material comes out. In this way, it increases the yield of different polyphenols in fruit peel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snake fruit processing company UD Salacca faces several challenges in its snake fruit processing activities, including people, machines, methods and the environment. The aim of this research is to identify the challenges faced by UD Salacca in snake fruit production. The risk management method used in this research follows the ISO 31000:2008 guidelines using the House of Risk (HOR) Model, which includes steps for risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, and risk management. 22 risk events (risk factors) have been identified from 9 process activities and 17 risk agents (risk causing factors), of which there are 5 high priority risk causes. The causes of this risk include the mixing process taking less than three hours, weather and pest factors, not being careful when loading, and not being careful in the sorting process using traditional grinding equipment. From the research results, 18 proposed mitigation strategies were found from 9 process activities. Some of the strategies proposed include the use of machines in the ripening process, the use of tools to peel snake fruit, the use of personal protective equipment when working, supervision and implementation of work operational standards during harvest, and the use of assessment checklists when sorting snake fruit. Early handling strategies are needed by salacca businesses to anticipate major risks. These results can be used to increase the company's effectiveness in handling risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a transformation driven by the demand for natural and sustainable ingredients. A study has examined various plant extracts derived from by-products of the agricultural and food industries. The results show that bark and tea residues have the highest reduction capacities and antioxidant activities. The extracts can block UV-A and a portion of visible light, with the exception of fruit peel and nut shell extracts. These findings provide insights into the properties and potential applications of these natural extracts. It is emphasized that the sustainable use of by-products in the food and agricultural industries is important for reducing waste and environmentally friendly resource utilization. Another study examines the extraction and characterization of tannins from various by-products. The results show different properties of the extracts and confirm the UV absorption properties of certain plant ingredients. Tannin extracts can be used as multifunctional ingredients in the cosmetics industry to enhance the antioxidant and UV-absorbing effects of products. Potential applications of tannins in the cosmetics industry and as natural UV protection are also discussed. The authors of the article are Sandra Kiese, Arielle Springer, and Daniela Leistl from the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Germany. [Extracted from the article]

Avocado fruit is a climacteric fruit that has a short life after harvest. Chitosan (Ch) and Arabic gum (AG) have a pronounced effect on the storability of fruits. This investigation aimed to determine the effect of individual or combined use of Ch and AG as well as Ch/AG enriched with 2, 4, 8% Zn–NPs on physio-biochemical attributes and antioxidant capacity of Hass avocado fruit during cold storage (7 °C). The result showed that Ch or AG alone succeeded in maintaining fruit quality of Hass fruit during cold storage. Also, combined application of Ch/AG was more effective than individual application of Ch or AG in reducing fruit weight and polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO) as well as increasing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, Ch/AG coating enriched with 8% Zn–NPs recorded the lowest fruit weight loss, fruit decay %, TSS fruit content, fruit firmness and improved fruit skin and pulp color significantly compared to Ch/AG and control. Coating with Ch/AG/2%Zn NPs recorded the highest peroxidase (POD) activity, while Ch/AG/8% Zn–NPs recorded the highest TAC and the lowest PPO activity. Moreover, enriched Ch/GA with Zn–NPs recorded the highest CAT and POD activity compared to the control. This study shows the efficiency of Ch/AG enriched with Zn–NPs on preserving Hass avocado fruit quality during cold storage by delaying ripening process and activating enzymatic defense mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]