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The objective of this research was to extract and characterize the pectin from the fruit peels of Ethiopian prickly pears (EPP) (Opuntia ficus-indica) using microwave assisted method. Solution pH and microwave potential were optimized using different pH values (1, 3, and 4) and power (300, 400, and 500 W), respectively, to extract ameliorated pectin yield. The pectin yield for EPP varied between 2.3 and 10.0 %. At a pH of 1.0 with 400 microwave intensity, the highest yield was seen. The extracted pectin from EPP had a 25.16 % ash content; however, the pectin sample contained less water and weighed less than the control sample. Further, transforming the acquired pectin from EPP was used to prepare biofilm reinforced by cellulose. Film was prepared using the casting method. It was aimed to provide a new function to EPP waste for preparing the biofilms by developing with the use of cellulose-reinforced modification to ameliorate the mechanical property Therefore, with further optimization and improvements, EPP-F could be used for nonstructural applications, such as a sustainable food packaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sustainability is a hotly debated topic, and the livestock sector is considered one of the most important contributors to global warming. The use of by-products as animal feed is beneficial both socioeconomically and ecologically. Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill) is widely grown in the arid regions of multiple continents, and its by-products can be used as ruminant feed, but their seasonality and chemical properties pose several problems for their preservation and utilization. Ensiling could be the optimal preservation technology. In this study, the chemical composition, nutritional properties, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and mineral content of prickly pear by-products were evaluated for their persistence after ensiling. It was found that prickly pear by-products are a low-cost and suitable raw material for ensiling; peel silage and "pastazzo" (peel, pulp, and seeds) silage exhibits optimal pH and organic acid content, high polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity and appears to be a source of minerals. Italy is the third largest producer of Opuntia fruits in the world after Mexico and the United States, and 97.72% of these fruits produced by Italy are grown in Sicily. The use of prickly pear fruits or juice leads to a high production of by-products. In this study, ensiling was chosen to preserve prickly pear peels (PPPs) and "pastazzo" (PPS) mixed with 12% wheat bran. PPP silage presented a lower DM than PPS silage (20.03 vs. 41.37%; p < 0.01), as well as aNDFom (25.31 vs. 66.66% DM; p < 0.01), but had the best protein content (12.02 vs. 9.55% DM; p < 0.01). For both by-products, fermentation proceeded rapidly with increasing temperature, with the temperature for PPS (38 °C) being higher than that for the PPP (30 °C). Mesophilic LAB (lactic acid bacteria) were detected at higher levels than thermophilic LAB, and rod counts were higher than cocci counts. The detected organic acids and silage pH indicate an optimal fermentation process for these by-products. PPP silage had a higher polyphenol content than PPS silage (30.24 vs. 24.22 mg GAE/g DM; p < 0.01) and, consequently, also higher antioxidant activity. The results of this study on the mineral composition and macro- and micro-nutrients in silage highlight that these by-products are sources of minerals, with high levels of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide, found in many microorganisms and plants. The polymer is composed of fructose molecules. Food processing industries generate a lot of sugar rich waste consisting of different fruit peels that could be used for levan biosynthesis of levan. The present research presents levan production by Bacillus subtillis via solid state fermentation (SSF) using various sucrose-rich fruit peels. Peels of mango, banana, apple, and sugarcane bagasse were screened and maximum levan yield (1.87 mg/g) was found with mango peels after 24 h at pH 7 and 30 °C. Levan production from mango peel was further optimized for physical parameters using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum levan yield (7.586 mg/g) from mango peels was achieved at 120 h incubation, 60% moisture content, 7 pH, and 32 °C. The functional groups of levan were confirmed by FTIR analysis. Sugar content was done by HPLC analysis, which confirmed levan has only fructose sugar. Mango peel could be a potential source for levan production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to excessive concentrations of fluoride in potable water is harmful to human health; therefore, its limitation is deemed necessary. Among the commonly applied technologies, adsorption is selected, as it is a highly effective, simple, and economically efficient treatment. In the present study, several combinations of chitosan (CS), orange peels (OP), activated carbon (AC), and MgO were synthesized and tested as adsorbents in order to find the most effective derivative for fluoride extraction. The impact of the adsorbent dosage, pH level, contact time, and initial concentration was investigated to assess the feasibility of the chitosan/orange peels/activated carbon@MgO composite. According to the results, the modification of chitosan with AC, OP, and MgO in a unique adsorbent (CS/OP/AC@MgO), especially in acidic conditions (pH 3.0 ± 0.1) by using 1.0 g/L of the adsorbent, demonstrated the highest efficiency in F removal, up to 97%. The pseudo-second (PSO) order model and Langmuir isotherm model fit better to the experimental results, especially for CS/OP/AC@MgO, providing a Qm = 26.92 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. The structure and morphology of the modified OP/CS@AC-Mg were extensively characterized using BET, XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidants are compounds in fruits, vegetables and spices capable of preventing free radical-induced chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular diseases. The peels and seeds of fruits have found applications as sources of medicine for various ailments in traditional medicine. This study evaluated selected phytochemicals and antioxidant activities in some fruits, fruit peels, seeds, vegetables and spices. Standard methods were used to determine the phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids in the aqueous extracts of the tested samples. Antioxidant activities (DPPH and NO scavenging) were assayed by spectroscopy. All the extracts tested have varying concentrations of selected phytochemicals. The antioxidant activity of the extracts in respect to DPPH radical and nitric oxide scavenging ranged from moderate to good antioxidant activity (IC50 9 – 70 μg/mL). Tamarindus indica nutraceutical extracts exhibited a high degree of antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 9.17 μg/mL and 80.80 ± 0.28 % DPPH inhibition), and recorded high total flavonoid contents (72.79 ± 0.34 mg/g QE) than all the tested extracts. Mixtures of samples used to formulate nutraceutical extracts indicated some degree of radical scavenging activities in the order: TGT > Ascorbic acid > AvoG > POG > DGT > BSG > T-refresh > P-refresh for DPPH and T-refresh > P-refresh > DGT > Ascorbic acid > POG > BSG > TGT > AvoG for NO scavenging activities in the tested extracts. Further study to optimize extraction and nutraceutical potency with respect to other physiochemical properties of nutraceutical agents is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunscreen formulation forms a protective layer on the skin to protect it from the harmful impact of UV radiation. The effectiveness of sunscreen is determined by the sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more active the product is in avoiding sunburn. Thus, it is compulsory to determine the SPF value of the products used to stop sunburn. The present study aimed to determine the ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties of alcoholic herbal extracts of peels and seeds of vegetable and fruit sources by determining the SPF number as an alternative to synthetic sunscreen using the spectrophotometric method. Alcoholic extract was prepared by dissolving the ground form of green produce (Watermelon, Orange, and Lemon seeds and peels of Banana, Lemon, and Orange), and the absorbance was recorded between 290-320 nm. A spectroscopic study revealed that all of the tested samples of vegetables and fruits in both ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed UV protection capabilities related to their high absorbance, which was satisfactory in finding their SPF values. The analysis of SPF values showed that variations were observed in both ethanolic and methanolic extracts, followed by exhibiting the highest absorbance value in normal, UV, and dark exposure. Moreover, the results after 7 days of exposure to solar radiation (UV) radiation in the ethanolic extract of green produce showed an increase in the SPF, indicating that extracts were not photosensitive in the range between 290 and 320 nm while a decrease in SPF to methanol, revealing that all samples were photosensitive in the range between 290 and 320 nm. The values of the SPF showed that peels and seeds may also be considered for the formulation of the green sunscreen cream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus species have interest from many researchers for a long time, due to their wide distribution and the diversity in of their chemical composition. On the other hand, it is very important to study and to consistently improve extraction methods in order to increase their efficiency. Several extraction methods based on six citrus species peels have been studied by comparing total yields and concentrations of some bio-compounds (phenols, carbohydrates, proteins and pigments), as well as the antioxidant activity. Extraction methods significantly differed in their results, due to the differences in the mechanisms of action. Extraction by Reflux assisted method gave the highest yield, but it was not the best method in total phenolic content. Maceration method was better in total phenolic content, however Ultrasound method gave the highest value of carbohydrates content. Generally, Citrus species have a high content of phenols and carbohydrates, low proteins content and good polar pigments content. Regarding TLC profile, there is an increase in metabolites (number of spots) when assisted extraction methods were used, so extraction by assisted methods increases both quantity and quality of extraction yield. It was noted that water was a suitable solvent for phenols and carbohydrates extraction. Using agricultural waste such as citrus peels has many biological, environmental, industrial and so economical benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Stem lettuce is a medicinal and edible plant. The peels, accounting for 300–400 g kg−1 raw stem lettuce and containing polysaccharides 200 g kg−1, are discarded as industrial waste, causing environment pollution and resource waste. RESULTS: A polysaccharide named PPSL10‐2 was obtained from the peels of stem lettuce after hot water extraction, and gradation with cascade ultrafiltration and purification using DEAE‐Sepharose cellulose. The purity and molecular weight of PPSL10‐2 is 96.10% and 2.2 × 104 Da respectively, as detected by high‐performance gel permeation chromatography. PPSL10‐2 was found to be an α‐(1→4)‐d‐glucan that branched at O‐6 with a terminal 1‐linked α‐d‐Glcp as side chain, and devoid of helix conformation, which was characterized by monosaccharide composition analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, Congo red test, scanning electron microscopy, methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, PPSL10‐2 exhibited potent immune‐enhancing effect by improving proliferation and phagocytosis, promoting the secretion of nitric oxide and cytokines, as well as the expression of related genes in RAW264.7 macrophages. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that peels as an agricultural by‐product of stem lettuce are good sources of polysaccharides, which could be developed as immunopotentiator for improving human health. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectin extracted from mango (Mangifera indicia L.) peel is commonly utilized as a gel-forming agent in food and pharmaceutical applications. In Ethiopia, there is a substantial amount of mango fruit production and the peel removed from mango fruits are discarded as waste. However, there was limited scientific data on the development of pectin from mango peel and its utilization in jam and jelly making. Therefore, the study aimed to develop pectin from mango peel and utilization optimized pectin in jam & Jelly developments. For expermental work, the mango kent variety was collected from the Bako Agricultural Research Center. Seventeen experimental runs were generated after the minimum and maximum temperatures (60–100 °C), time (60–120 min) and pH (2–3) were adjusted by Design Expert® software version 13.0.5.0 using the Response Surface Methodology. All physicochemical and sensory properties were determined using standard procedures and analytical graded chemicals. The results showed that the highest (64.63 %) extraction yield of mango peel pectin was recorded at 100 °C, 60 min and pH.2. Optimum process variables for pectin yield (65.20 %) extracted from dried mango peel were recorded at temperature 94.64 °C, time 118.67 min, and pH 2.01,The optimized mango pectin yield has 497.5 equivalent weight, 6.15 methoxy, 70.3 anhydrouronic acid, and 49.69° of esterification content. Mango jam and jelly were developed using optimized pectin yield of 3.64 and 3.42, 4.30 and 4.46 for pH and titrable acidity, respectively. The results of the sensory panelists showed that mango jam and jelly developed with pectin significantly (p < 0.05) liked the aroma and general acceptability compared to the control sample. The findings highlighted that the pectin optimized from dried mango peel has a good potential to develop jams and jellies with better physicochemical properties and sensory acceptability.

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]

Plant waste materials are important sources of bioactive compounds with remarkable health-promoting benefits. In particular, industrial by-products such as mango peels are sustainable sources of bioactive substances, with antioxidant, enzymatic, and antimicrobial activity. Appropriate processing is essential to obtain highly bioactive compounds for further use in generating value-added products for the food industry. The objective of the study was to investigate and compare the biological activity of compounds from fresh and dried mango peels obtained by different conventional methods and unconventional extraction methods using supercritical fluids (SFE). The highest total phenolic content (25.0 mg GAE/g DW) and the total content of eight phenolic compounds (829.92 µg/g DW) determined by LC-MS/MS were detected in dried mango peel extract obtained by the Soxhlet process (SE). SFE gave the highest content of proanthocyanidins (0.4 mg PAC/g DW). The ethanolic ultrasonic process (UAE) provided the highest antioxidant activity of the product (82.4%) using DPPH radical scavenging activity and total protein content (2.95 mg protein/g DW). Overall, the dried mango peels were richer in bioactive compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, and hesperidin/neohesperidin), indicating successful preservation during air drying. Furthermore, outstanding polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipase activities were detected in mango peel extracts. This is the first study in which remarkable antibacterial activities against the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) were evaluated by determining the microbial growth inhibition rate after 12 and 24 h incubation periods for mango peel extracts obtained by different methods. Ethanolic SE and UAE extracts from dried mango peels resulted in the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC90) for all bacterial species tested. Mango peels are remarkable waste products that could contribute to the sustainable development of exceptional products with high-added value for various applications, especially as dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrhea is a global major health problem reported by 2.5 billion cases annually. Diarrhea accounts for 9% of child death worldwide or the second leading cause of death among toddlers. Many local people have used traditional medicine for diarrhea therapy. Dragon fruit is a herbal plant with high vitamins and various nutritious compounds. Therefore, this study determined antidiarrheal activity from dragon fruit peel methanolic extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus). This study was experimental with in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro model used disc diffusion and microdilution assay against the diarrhea-causing pathogen (Escherichia coli). Meanwhile, the in vivo model used male Wistar rats induced by Castro oil. This study showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum killing concentration (MKC) of dragon fruit peel extract against Escherichia coli were 50 and 100 mg/ml, respectively. The increased dose of dragon fruit peel methanol extract has increased the antidiarrheal index. The highest and lowest antidiarrheal index was found in the dragon fruit methanol extract-3 (76.56%) and dragon fruit methanol extract-1 (43.28%). The dragon fruit peel methanol extract can be proposed as antidiarrhea and antibacterial therapy against the diarrhea-causing pathogen.

In recent years, a main goal of research has been to exploit waste from agribusiness industries as new sources of bioactive components, with a view to establishing a circular economy. Non-compliant avocado fruits, as well as avocado seeds and peels, are examples of promising raw materials due to their high nutritional yield and antioxidant profiles. This study aimed to recycle avocado food waste and by-products through dehydration to produce functional bread. For this purpose, dehydrated avocado was reduced to powder form, and bread was prepared with different percentages of the powder (5% and 10%) and compared with a control bread prepared with only semolina. The avocado pulp and by-products did not alter organoleptically after dehydration, and the milling did not affect the products' color and retained the avocado aroma. The firmness of the breads enriched with avocado powder increased due to the additional fat from the avocado, and alveolation decreased. The total phenolic content of the fortified breads was in the range of 2.408–2.656 mg GAE/g, and the antiradical activity was in the range of 35.75–38.235 mmol TEAC/100 g (p < 0.0001), depending on the percentage of fortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African mistletoe (Loranthus bengwensis) is a hemi-parasitic plant which grows in all parts of Nigeria. It is used in the form of tisane (decoction), as a traditional herbal treatment for various forms of ailments especially as an anti-diabetic. The present study evaluated the host-plant effect on the anti-diabetic activity of the African mistletoe growing in the Northern part of Nigeria. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wister rats were orally administered with decoction (0.01 g/cm³) of African mistletoe, parasiting on lemon (Citrus limon), guava (Psidium guajava) and jathropha (Jathropha curcas) trees respectively for 28 days (ad libitum) as the only source of fluid. The decoction from African mistletoe parasiting on lemon and guava trees were found to cause a significant reduction in the blood glucose level (40%) of the diabetic rats while the decoction prepared from the jathropha tree caused a significant elevation of blood glucose (60%) in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. The results obtained indicated that Africa mistletoe possesses significant anti-diabetic activity and this anti-diabetic activity may be influenced by the hostplant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigs for commercial production are often housed intensively because of its benefits, such as proper management of the animals, record‑keeping, feed and water provision and management. However, intensive systems of production may also produce stress in animals, arising from operations such as weaning, feed reduction or manipulation, and vaccination. In Africa, pig farmers feed cassava peels to pigs to reduce the cost of production despite its low protein content and anti‑nutritional factor (hydrocyanide). However, little is known about the effect of this feed change in terms of stress on weaners. In this study, we replaced maize with cassava peels and supplemented the diets with a fixed amount of tryptophan (Trp) to investigate its effect on performance, haematology, behavioural response of pigs to weaning, and their response to metabolic stress. Crossbred weaner pigs were used and randomly assigned to three treatments in a completely randomised design. Each treatment had three replicates and each replicate had three animals. The feeding trial lasted for four weeks. Dietary manipulations did not influence the growth performance characteristics and behavioural response of the animals. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, and neutrophils were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for 20 % cassava peel as a replacement for maize but lower for a 40 % cassava peel‑based diet when compared with the control group. Feeding cassava peels as a replacement for maize in weaner pigs may be carefully considered, although further studies in this direction are recommended.

The prickly pear fruit's peel (PPP) and seed press-cake (SPC) are discarded during the pulp and the seed-oil processing. This study incorporated these two by-products in the preparation of sourdoughs and evaluated their bread-making capacities. The seed press-cake was recovered during the mechanical extraction of the seed oil, ground and used to produce S1 sourdough. The peels were milled and their puree was utilized to produce firm and liquid sourdoughs S2 and S3, respectively. The prepared sourdoughs had an average pH of 3.24 and a total titratable acidity (TTA) between 13.4 and 27.4 mL NaOH 0.1M/10g. The doughs fermented with these sourdoughs had different rising capacities (167 to 259%) and specific volumes (1.53 to 2.26 cm3/g). The sourdough-fermented doughs produced equivalent amounts of CO2. The doughs fermented with the peels sourdoughs produced more ethanol than that with press-cake sourdough. Fermented doughs had a final TTA between 7.8 and 11.5 mL NaOH 0.1M/10g and a final mean pH of 3.47. The control dough fermented with baker's yeast alone had a low final TTA of 4.5 mL NaOH 0.1M/10g and a comparable pH to that of the sourdough-fermented doughs. Our results suggest the incorporation of prickly pear by-products in sourdoughs formulation and use to inoculate bread dough to decrease food waste and improve the quality of baked products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants constitute a potential source of high-value compounds which can provide a new source of bioactive agents. The present study was carried out to investigate the content of phenolic compounds, the antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antibacterial activities of the peels of pomegranate collected in eastern Algeria. The hydro-ethanolic extract of pomegranate peels was fractionated, then the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were evaluated for their biological activities. DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, phenanthroline and reducing power assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The enzyme inhibitory activity of the fractions was evaluated against key enzymes in Alzheimer's disease: acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of fractions was tested against four bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 10876), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The results demonstrated that the fractions were a good source of phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and tannins. Furthermore, the extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity than the standards. The extracts exhibited an interesting inhibitory effect against the tested enzymes. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest activity against acetylcholinesterase (IC50: 76.51±3.32 µg/mL) while the n-butanol fraction showed the highest activity against butyrylcholinesterase (IC50: 119.15±5.87 µg/mL). Furthermore, the fractions showed promising antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that pomegranate peels could be considered a good source of bioactive compounds with potent scavenging activity and reducing ability. In addition, pomegranate peels showed great potential as antibacterial and antineurodegenerative agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural and food waste recycling reduces natural resource losses, contributing significantly to the development of new green markets through the creation of redesigned products. In order to cycle valuable molecules, the peels from Italian cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were studied and successfully characterized for high-added biomolecules to verify their possible exploitation as wealthy biomasses. Peels were investigated for their cell wall-modifying and browning enzymes, as well as for total polyphenols, ortho-diphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidant properties. The results of the analyses displayed great promise in one of the three cultivars investigated. Later on, a preliminary study using the best peel extract as a dietary supplement was carried out by preparing fortified seawater to enhance its antioxidant power. The effects of storage time (60 days) were examined at two temperatures through the determination of the stability of the polyphenol content. The kinetic parameters of degradation were also calculated. The "enriched sea water" retained great antioxidant activity in refrigerated conditions, demonstrating that there is good potential for melon by-products to add their natural compounds for food fortification. These findings may provide valuable data for scale-up, from the lab to the pilot or industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical composition, techno-functional properties and in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of papaya, pineapple and mango peels for their possible use as functional ingredients. The peel powders were found to possess interesting techno-functional properties, high dietary fiber content (37.77 to 62.26%) and phenolic compounds, namely gallic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acid, catechin, quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside and quercetin. They also showed excellent antioxidant activity, as determined by ABTS (3.63 to 29.8 µM TE/g), DPPH (5.76 to 35.3 µM TE/g), NO. (60.67 to 86.35%) and O2 – (17.56 to 50.64%). Mango peel powders presented the best ability to inhibit the activity of the different enzymes evaluated: modest α-amylase inhibition (51.40%), stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (70.32%), and moderate antiglycation potential (57.15%). Peel powders of these tropical fruits make them suitable to be used as food ingredients with possible health benefits, improving intestinal function and controlling hyperglycemia. Further studies require animal models and, subsequently, in humans. This study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical composition, techno-functional properties and in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of papaya, pineapple and mango peels for their possible use as functional ingredients. The peel powders were found to possess interesting techno-functional properties, high dietary fiber content (37.77 to 62.26%) and phenolic compounds, namely gallic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acid, catechin, quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside and quercetin. They also showed excellent antioxidant activity, as determined by ABTS (3.63 to 29.8 µM TE/g), DPPH (5.76 to 35.3 µM TE/g), NO. (60.67 to 86.35%) and O2 – (17.56 to 50.64%). Mango peel powders presented the best ability to inhibit the activity of the different enzymes evaluated: modest α-amylase inhibition (51.40%), stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (70.32%), and moderate antiglycation potential (57.15%). Peel powders of these tropical fruits make them suitable to be used as food ingredients with possible health benefits, improving intestinal function and controlling hyperglycemia. Further studies require animal models and, subsequently, in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 58 million metric tonnes of oranges were produced in 2021, and the peels, which account for around one-fifth of the fruit weight, are often discarded as waste in the orange juice industry. Orange pomace and peels as wastes are used as a sustainable raw material to make valuable products for nutraceuticals. The orange peels and pomace contain pectin, phenolics, and limonene, which have been linked to various health benefits. Various green extraction methods, including supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) extraction, subcritical water extraction (SWE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), are applied to valorize the orange peels and pomace. Therefore, this short review will give insight into the valorization of orange peels/pomace extraction using different extraction methods for health and wellness. This review extracts information from articles written in English and published from 2004 to 2022. The review also discusses orange production, bioactive compounds in orange peels/pomaces, green extractions, and potential uses in the food industry. Based on this review, the valorization of orange peels and pomaces can be carried out using green extraction methods with high quantities and qualities of extracts. Therefore, the extract can be used for health and wellness products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the laboratories of the College of the Agriculture / University of Tikrit and the College of the Science / University of Anbar during the period from 1/11/2020 to 1/9/2021 the aim is to study the chemical composition of the peels of some different fruits of plants, which were (eggplant, watermelon, pumpkin, orange, pomelo, and pomegranate). Fruits The results of the chemical composition of the peels of the fruits used showed the percentage of moisture, ash, fat, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates reached 7.14, 5.9, 2.56, 14.91, 11.43, 59.06% 10.29, 11.2, 3.08, 29.87, 11.81, 33.33%, 6.89, 6.7, 5.40, 15.60, 8.48, 56.93%, 11.23, 5.15, 10.62, 13.41, 5.74, 52.85% 9.19, 6.7, 5.99, 15.40, 8.48, 54.24% 10.56, 2.2, 1.89, 15.87, 4.37, 65.11%, the peels of eggplant, watermelon, pumpkin, orange, pomelo and pomegranate fruits respectively. The content of the phenols in the peels of the fruits under study showed the presence of several types, with the peels of pumpkin, pomegranate, eggplant and pomelo distinguished by a high content of gallic acid, with percentages 40.697, 39.117, 36.519, 32.748%, respectively, followed by Apigenin, as pumpkin peels were characterized by the highest content It reached 23.179 %, compared with pomegranate 21.009%, eggplant 19.554%, watermelon 16.078%, pumpkin 15.380%, and orange 2.433%. The lowest was Catching, with percentages 6.133, 0.083,9.003, and 0.737,5.183 and 6.664% for the peels eggplant, watermelon, pumpkin, orange, pomelo, and pomegranate fruits, respectively, and the rest of the types of phenols range between these percentages.

Plant waste materials are important sources of bioactive compounds with remarkable health-promoting benefits. In particular, industrial by-products such as mango peels are sustainable sources of bioactive substances, with antioxidant, enzymatic, and antimicrobial activity. Appropriate processing is essential to obtain highly bioactive compounds for further use in generating value-added products for the food industry. The objective of the study was to investigate and compare the biological activity of compounds from fresh and dried mango peels obtained by different conventional methods and unconventional extraction methods using supercritical fluids (SFE). The highest total phenolic content (25.0 mg GAE/g DW) and the total content of eight phenolic compounds (829.92 µg/g DW) determined by LC-MS/MS were detected in dried mango peel extract obtained by the Soxhlet process (SE). SFE gave the highest content of proanthocyanidins (0.4 mg PAC/g DW). The ethanolic ultrasonic process (UAE) provided the highest antioxidant activity of the product (82.4%) using DPPH radical scavenging activity and total protein content (2.95 mg protein/g DW). Overall, the dried mango peels were richer in bioactive compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, and hesperidin/neohesperidin), indicating successful preservation during air drying. Furthermore, outstanding polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipase activities were detected in mango peel extracts. This is the first study in which remarkable antibacterial activities against the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) were evaluated by determining the microbial growth inhibition rate after 12 and 24 h incubation periods for mango peel extracts obtained by different methods. Ethanolic SE and UAE extracts from dried mango peels resulted in the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC90) for all bacterial species tested. Mango peels are remarkable waste products that could contribute to the sustainable development of exceptional products with high-added value for various applications, especially as dietary supplements.

The Chinese water chestnut (CWC) is among the most widespread and economically important vegetables in Southern China. There are two different types of cultivars for this vegetable, namely, big CWC (BCWC) and small CWC (SCWC). These are used for different purposes based on their metabolic profiles. This study aimed to investigate the metabolite profile of CWC and compare the profiles of peels collected in different harvest years using ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS)‐based metabolomics analysis. Three hundred and twenty‐one metabolites were identified, of which 87 flavonoids, 25 phenylpropanoids, and 33 organic acids and derivatives were significantly different in the content of the two varieties of BCWC and SCWC. The metabolite profiles of the two different cultivars were distinguished using principle component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis, and the results indicated differences in the metabolite profile of Eleocharis dulcis (Burm. f.) Trin. ex Hensch. Three isomers of hydroxycoumarin, namely, O‐feruloyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin, O‐feruloyl‐3‐hydroxycoumarin, and O‐feruloyl‐2‐hydroxycoumarin, exhibited increased levels in BCWC, while p‐coumaric acid and vanillic acid did not show any significant differences in their content in BCWC and SCWC peels. This study, for the first time, provides novel insights into the differences among metabolite profiles between BCWC and SCWC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable peels are rarely used in food preparation, causing the loss of several nutrients. Such residues ca produce flour as a possible food source with added nutritional and economic value. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional quality and the color of the flours obtained from the peels of potato, carrot, and chayote subjected to drying at the temperatures of 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C, as well as analyzing the drying kinetics. The peels were removed, packed in an isothermal box with ice, and taken to the laboratory. Then they were washed in running water to remove dirt and unwanted parts and sanitized. After this stage, they were broken into 2 cm lengths. The drying was carried out in 150 g of peels in triplicate for each raw material. Subsequently, nutritional quality, color, and drying models were determined. Flours obtained from drying at higher temperatures showed higher protein content and lower lipid content. The higher the temperature, the shorter the drying time for the flour. All flours presented excellent nutritional quality. Among the models studied for potato peels, Wang and Singh, Midilli, and Logarithmic are the most suitable. For chayote and carrot peels, the Midilli model is the most adequate. Using vegetable residues added to food formulations presents itself as an excellent nutritional source, besides adding flavor and texture to foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits are most commonly consumed fruits. However, the peels of these fruits yield a huge waste. The peels also contain important phytoconstituents. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant properties of peels of two selected citrus fruits (sweet lime and lemon). The peels were extracted using four solvents namely methanol, ethanol, acetone and distilled water. The extracts were analysed for total phenolic content, flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The result revealed that highest antioxidant profile was found for methanol extract of both sweet lime peel and lemon peel as compared to other extracts. The extracts of peels of sweet lime possessed higher total phenol, flavonoid and FRAP. The antioxidant capacity in terms of DPPH RSA and FRAP were attributed mainly to total phenolics as compared to flavonoids for both the peels. The higher antioxidant potential of peels of selected citrus fruits make them key ingredient for the development of functional foods and other supplementary products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of heavy metals in drinking water is a serious global issue. Sustainable methods for treating drinking water such as biosorption are gaining popularity. The maximum permissible limits of most metal ions in drinking water are in the range from 0.003 to 2 mgL−1, however, the elevated concentrations in the range 0.01–2.5 mgL−1 are reported in contaminated waters in various regions of the world. Therefore, selecting the initial metal ion concentration range, and an optimum pH suitable for treating drinking water (pH 6.5–8.5) for laboratory experiments is a challenge for multi-ion biosorption studies. For the quantification of metal ions, ICP-MS is often used owing to its many advantages, however, the high operational costs of this instrument limits its use in research laboratories. Surface characterisation techniques such as TEM, NMR, ESR and related techniques are often ignored in biosorption studies although, these give valuable information pertaining to the mechanism of biosorption. Many theoretical models for explaining the biosorption mechanism have been proposed in the literature, one often contradicting the other. One of the major drawbacks of published biosorption studies is that too much emphasis has been laid on the theoretical explanation of biosorption mechanism and too little has been done to address the lack of practical application in terms of translatability of the methodology for commercial use. The present review highlights such issues while giving an insight on the processes, parameters and models used in biosorption reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction of polyphenolic compounds from lemon peels using deep eutectic solvents (DES) was investigated. A choline chloride-based DES paired with glycerol was used as the extraction solvent, alternative to conventional ones. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the extraction parameters, namely, the water concentration (CW), the liquid to solid ratio (RL/S) and the duration of the extraction (t) in terms of total phenol content and radical scavenging activity; the conditions that can be recommended as optimum for the recovery of the phenolic compounds were 55% (w/v), 13 mL g−1 and 36 min, respectively. The composition of the obtained extracts under optimum conditions was compared with extracts prepared in ethanol and water. A novel reversed phase ultra-pressure electrospray liquid chromatographic time-of-flight mass spectrometric method (RP-UPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS) was developed and validated for the determination of individual bioactive compounds in the extracts through target, suspect, and non-target screening. The developed RP-UPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS methodology was validated and presented adequately low limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) over the ranges 8.64 (quercetin)–30.4 μg L−1 (p-coumaric acid), and 25.9 (quercetin)–91.2 μg L−1 (p-coumaric acid), respectively. The RSD% of the within-day and between-day assays were lower than 3.2, and 9.8, respectively, demonstrating good method precision. Overall, 10 compounds were determined and quantified through target screening, as well as 4 suspect, and 9 non-target compounds were tentatively identified in the extracts by means of suspect and non-target screening, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musa cultivars are popularly consumed after the peel had been removed. However, various studies had shown that the peels contained vital nutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant properties. This study compared the anti-diabetic potentials of M. paradisiaca pulp with whole (peel and pulp) flours of three frequently eaten Musa cultivars (M. paradisiaca, M sapientum, and AAB group hybrid). The aqueous extracts prepared from pulverized M. paradisiaca pulp (PP), whole hybrid (WH), whole M. sapientum, (WB), and whole M. paradisiaca (WP)were analyzed for Glycemic indices, in-vitro antioxidant potentials as well as inhibitory effect on the a-amylase and a-glucosidase enzymes. The three studied flours showed low glycemic index values in the range of (49.33-52.91), similar to (51.60) of PP flour. WH, WB, and WP flours revealed higher total flavonoids, DPPH, FRAP, and a -amylase compared to PP flour. The PP flour conversely exhibited an increase in OH* radical scavenging ability as well as increased a - glucosidase inhibitory abilities compared to the other studied flours. These results indicated that all tested samples were low glycemic index food. However, WH compared most favorably with PP in its total phenols, total flavonoids, FRAP, and a-amylase inhibitory activities compared to the other tested samples and hence could be taken into consideration when managing diabetic issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection of natural resources, especially water resources, is attracting international attention by researchers in order to achieve sustainable development. Inadequate treatment of waste from the food industry leads to pollution of ground and surface water through leachate or direct discharge of waste. To understand the impact of inappropriate discharge of these wastes, the microbial groups (bacteria, yeasts, and moulds) of pomegranate peel (PP), banana peel (BP), mandarin peel (MP) and the water in which each waste is decomposed were studied. The microbial groups were isolated, quantified, and purified by elective media at 30 °C. The fungal microbial isolates were identified by their macro and microscopic characteristics. The findings show that the highest density of bacteria (3.95 ± 0.48 × 105 CFU/ml) was obtained in the water in which the BP is decomposed, the highest density of yeasts (4.59 ± 0.52 × 105 CFU/ml) and moulds (4.10 ± 0.34 × 105 CFU/ml) was recorded in the water in which the PP is decomposed compared to the microbial density of the initial and the final control water. The fungal microbial groups were more diverse between the decomposition waters; the waters in which PP and BP are decomposed showed a higher diversity with 9 and 8 species respectively, compared to the water in which MP is decomposed with 7 species, and compared to the initial and the final control water with 3 and 5 species respectively. Conclusively, direct dumping or landfilling of food waste in general, PP, BP, and MP in particular can cause pollution of surface and groundwater by microorganisms that can be harmful.

In recent years, a main goal of research has been to exploit waste from agribusiness industries as new sources of bioactive components, with a view to establishing a circular economy. Non-compliant avocado fruits, as well as avocado seeds and peels, are examples of promising raw materials due to their high nutritional yield and antioxidant profiles. This study aimed to recycle avocado food waste and by-products through dehydration to produce functional bread. For this purpose, dehydrated avocado was reduced to powder form, and bread was prepared with different percentages of the powder (5% and 10%) and compared with a control bread prepared with only semolina. The avocado pulp and by-products did not alter organoleptically after dehydration, and the milling did not affect the products’ color and retained the avocado aroma. The firmness of the breads enriched with avocado powder increased due to the additional fat from the avocado, and alveolation decreased. The total phenolic content of the fortified breads was in the range of 2.408–2.656 mg GAE/g, and the antiradical activity was in the range of 35.75–38.235 mmol TEAC/100 g (p < 0.0001), depending on the percentage of fortification.

As an attempt of utilizing the peels to extract dye sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the peels of red banana (fruit) and aloe vera (leaf) were used in this study. As far as we know, for the first time the peels of red banana and aloe vera are being used as sensitizer for DSSC. Acetone and ethanol were used as solvent in extracting dyes from these peels. For the four extracted dyes, UV-visible and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopic studies were carried out to know their absorption range and the functional groups present in it. DSSCs were made by using these extracted dyes as sensitizer and commercially available TiO2 as semiconductor oxide. XRD and SEM were recorded for the prepared TiO2 paste. To know about the performance of these solar cells, J-V characterization was taken and the efficiency of the DSSCs were determined. It was seen that among all the four DSSCs prepared, the DSSC made with the dye taken from aloe vera peel by using ethanol as solvent showed the higher efficiency of 0.679%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at comparing the physicochemical characteristics, α‐glucosidase inhibitory effect, and hypoglycemic activity of pectins (N‐NOP and H‐NOP) from peels of normal and Huanglongbing (HLB)‐infected Navel oranges. Results indicated the pectins were high methoxy pectins mainly composed of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan‐I. The pectins exhibited similar functional groups, surface morphology, and particle size, and had no triple‐helical conformation in solution. They exerted fat and glucose absorption capacities and were mixed‐type noncompetitive α‐glucosidase inhibitors with IC50 values of 1.182 and 2.524 mg/ml, respectively. Both N‐NOP and H‐NOP showed hypoglycemic activity in alloxan‐induced diabetic mice. Administration of them could promote the synthesis of hepatic glycogen and/or serum insulin to lower blood glucose levels and enhance antioxidant status to alleviate oxidative stress injury in diabetic mice. Moreover, N‐NOP had higher yield, molecular weight, ζ‐potential, oil holding capacity, α‐glucosidase inhibitory effect and in vivo hypoglycemic activity, whereas H‐NOP possessed higher uronic acid, degree of esterification, thermal stability, water holding capacity, swelling capacity, and fat absorption capacity. It could be concluded that some similarities and differences existed between N‐NOP and H‐NOP in physicochemical characteristics, functional properties, α‐glucosidase inhibitory effects, and hypoglycemic activity. This study provides references for the basic research and application of pectins from peels of normal and HLB‐infected Navel oranges. Practical applications: Pectin has been widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries for several decades due to its health benefit, gelling, thickening, and emulsification performances. Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide concern in recent years. Pectins (N‐NOP and H‐NOP) from peels of normal and Huanglongbing (HLB)‐infected Navel oranges possessed in vitro and in vivo hypoglycemic activities, indicating they were potential anti‐antidiabetic substitutes of chemical drugs. Moreover, comparative understanding on the physicochemical characteristic, α‐glucosidase inhibitory effect and hypoglycemic activity of pectins from peels of normal and Huanglongbing‐infected Navel oranges was conducive to the recycling and utilization of Navel orange peels. Recently, the biological activity of pectin from peels of normal Navel oranges has been rarely reported, and the information on pectin from peels of Huanglongbing‐infected Navel orange is rare. This study provides references for the basic research and application of pectins from peels of normal and HLB‐infected Navel oranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural and food waste recycling reduces natural resource losses, contributing significantly to the development of new green markets through the creation of redesigned products. In order to cycle valuable molecules, the peels from Italian cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were studied and successfully characterized for high-added biomolecules to verify their possible exploitation as wealthy biomasses. Peels were investigated for their cell wall-modifying and browning enzymes, as well as for total polyphenols, ortho-diphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidant properties. The results of the analyses displayed great promise in one of the three cultivars investigated. Later on, a preliminary study using the best peel extract as a dietary supplement was carried out by preparing fortified seawater to enhance its antioxidant power. The effects of storage time (60 days) were examined at two temperatures through the determination of the stability of the polyphenol content. The kinetic parameters of degradation were also calculated. The “enriched sea water” retained great antioxidant activity in refrigerated conditions, demonstrating that there is good potential for melon by-products to add their natural compounds for food fortification. These findings may provide valuable data for scale-up, from the lab to the pilot or industrial application.

The adsorption efficiency of cheap, ecofriendly, and easily available agro-waste, Trapa natans (Chestnut) and Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) peels, has been investigated in their native forms (TNAT and CLAN) as well as citric acid impregnated forms (C-TNAT and C-CLAN), respectively, for the detoxification of toxic, deleterious, and carcinogenic Eosin yellow dye (EYD) from wastewater streams. Different operational parameters were optimized for the investigation of isothermal, kinetic and the thermodynamic models. R2 for sportive decontamination of Eosin by citric acid treated adsorbents were close to one, supporting the applicability of Langmuir, Temkin, and pseudo-second-order in this investigation. Maximum sorption capabilities were 222 and 667 mg/g for chemically treated bio-waste C-TNAT and C-CLAN, respectively, reflecting their efficient and promising performance, while Gibbs free energy revealed exothermic and spontaneous adsorption behavior. The kinetic statics for q e (cal) are quite close to q e (exp) , indicating the viability and fitness of pseudo-second-order mechanisms. The present study suggests that both citric acid fabricated bio-waste C-TNAT and C-CLAN can be substantially employed to decontaminate persistent organic pollutants, like: Eosin yellow dye from wastewater using green approach to resolve socio-economic problems of developing countries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world generates millions of tons of bioorganic waste in the form of peels annually, thus requiring more sustainable solutions to valorise these bioresources. Therefore, the objectives of the current study are the physicochemical and microbiological characterization of pomegranate (PP), banana (BP), and tangerine (TP) peels and the study of the effects of these peels and their mixtures (PBTP) at each stage of their decomposition in water and soil, as well as the effects of their decomposition water on the germination and growth of Pisum sativum. Based on the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of PP, BP, and TP (C/N ratio: 29.57 ± 0.51, 23.05 ± 0.38, and 19.28 ± 0.39 respectively), these wastes can be used as bioorganic fertilizers to improve the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil. Moreover, their use as bioorganic fertilizers showed positive effects on germination (94.44% by using PBTP without decomposition and 94.44% by using PP after 2 months of decomposition in the soil) and growth of P. sativum (number of pods 8.33 ± 0.58 and 8.67 ± 0.58 by using PP and TP after 2 months of decomposition in the soil). As shown by the obtained results, pomegranate, banana, and tangerine peels can be used as promising and environmentally friendly bioorganic fertilizers that can substitute chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated the effect of pomegranate peel-based edible coating on chicken nuggets in order to develop a functional and safe product, high in nutritional value. For this purpose, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total phenolic content (TPC) assays were performed to check the potential antioxidant activity of chicken nuggets; microbial control, including total aerobic count and coliforms population, was performed for quality and safety purposes; and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and peroxide value (POV) were performed to determine the oxidative stability of chicken nuggets. Different treatments were applied at different storage periods (0th, 7th, 14th and 21st day). The higher value of total aerobic count (5.09 ± 0.05 log CFU/g) and coliforms (3.91 ± 0.06 log CFU/g) were obtained for the uncoated samples, while the lower population was enumerated in the combination of sodium alginate (SA) and pomegranate peel powder (PPP). However, DPPH (64.65 ± 2.15%) and TPC (135.66 ± 3.07 GAE/100 g) values were higher in the coated chicken nuggets (SA (1.5%) and PPP (1.5%)) and lowest in the control samples. The higher value of TBARS (1.62 ± 0.03 MDA/kg) and POV (0.92 ± 0.03 meq peroxide/kg) were observed in the uncoated chicken nuggets. In the Hunter color system, L*, a*, and b* peak values were determined in the coated chicken nuggets with SA (1.5%) + PPP (1.5%) at the 21st day of storage. The uncoated chicken nuggets had different sensory characteristics (appearance, color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability) compared to the coated samples. Conclusively, coating based on the combination of SA (1.5%) and PPP (1.5%) increased the quality, safety, and nutritional properties of chicken nuggets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. We conducted a review of topical agents currently used in melasma, discussing their mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and tolerability, with an update on newer treatments. METHODS. A systematic review from PubMed database was performed, using PRISMA guidelines. The search was limited to English and Spanish studies that were double or single blinded, prospective, controlled or randomized clinical trials, reviews of literature, and meta-analysis studies. RESULTS. 348 studies were analyzed; 80 papers met inclusion criteria. Triple combination (TC) therapy and hydroquinone (HQ) are still the most well-studied agents with strong evidence- based recommendation. TC therapy remains the gold standard of care based on efficacy and patient tolerability. Evidence has shown ascorbic acid, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to be effective as adjuvant therapies with minimal side effects. Tranexamic acid (TA) and cysteamine have become recent agents of interest due to their good tolerability, however more trials and studies are warranted. Less evidence exists for other topical agents, such as linoleic acid, mulberry extract oil, rucinol, 2% undecylenoyl phenylalanine, and epidermal growth factors agents. LIMITATIONS. Some studies discussed represented a low sample size, and there is an overall lack of recent studies with larger populations and long-term follow up. CONCLUSION. TC therapy continues to be the gold standard of care. Topical cysteamine and TA are newer options that can be incorporated as adjuvant and maintenance treatments into a patient's regimen. Cysteamine and topical TA have no known severe adverse effects. Evidence comparing other topical adjuvant treatments to HQ, maintains HQ as the gold standard of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food supply disruption and shortage verified during the current pandemic events are a scenario that many anticipate for the near future. The impact of climate changes on food production, the continuous decrease in arable land, and the exponential growth of the human population are important drivers for this problem. In this context, adding value to food waste is an obvious strategy to mitigate food shortages, but there is a long way to go in this field. Globally, it is estimated that one-third of all food produced is lost. This is certainly due to many different factors, but the lack of awareness of the consumer about the nutritional value of certain foods parts, namely peels and seeds, is certainly among them. In this review, we will unveil the nutritional and bioactive value of the waste discarded from the most important fresh fruit and vegetables consumed worldwide as a strategy to decrease food waste. This will span the characterization of the bioactive composition of selected waste from fruits and vegetables, particularly their seeds and peels, and their possible uses, whether in our diet or recycled to other ends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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