Influence of the extraction method on the recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds from food industry by-products

Agro-foodindustries generate colossal amounts of non-edible waste and by-products, easily accessible as raw materials for up-cycling active phytochemicals. Phenolic compounds are particularly relevant in this field given their abundance in plant residues and the market interest of their functionalities (e.g. natural antioxidant activity) as part of nutraceutical, cosmetological and biomedical formulations. In bench-to-bedside achievements, sample extraction is essential because valorization benefits from matrix desorption and solubilization of targeted phytocompounds. Specifically, the composition and polarity of the extractant, the optimal sample particle size and sample:solvent ratio, as well as pH, pressure and temperature are strategic for the release and stability of mobilized species. On the other hand, current green chemistry environmental rules require extraction approaches that eliminate polluting consumables and reduce energy needs. Thus, the following pages provide an update on advanced technologies for the sustainable and efficient recovery of phenolics from plant matrices.

Automated summary

Agro-food industries produce a large amount of non-edible waste and by-products, which can be used as raw materials for recovering active phytochemicals. Phenolic compounds are particularly important in this field due to their abundance in plant residues and their functional properties in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and biomedical formulations. Sample extraction is necessary in research as it improves the value of target phytochemicals through desorption and dissolution of the matrix.