Technological Aspects and Potential Cutaneous Application of Wine Industry By-Products

The biomass of vinification results in up to 20% by-products (seeds, skins, pulp, and/or stems) that can be used in the production of diverse functional food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic ingredients, mainly due to their high polyphenol content. Conventional polyphenol extraction techniques are based on the use of solvents that are harmful to health and to the environment, creating a demand for sustainable complementary initiatives that mitigate part of the environmental effects and offer consumer safety. Current advances in these technologies allow for the recovery of valuable antioxidants from winemaking by-products free of hazardous solvents, biocompatible, and in compliance with international sustainable development guidelines. Nanotechnology has gained prominence in the development of green technologies to reduce or eliminate toxic agents and improve the stability and bioavailability of waste polyphenols. These efforts have led to the application of bioactive compounds from wine by-products in the development of more efficacious sunscreens, as a skin protection approach, and improvements in the antioxidant effectiveness of nanocarriers with potential use in the promotion of cutaneous health. We aimed to present different extraction and encapsulation technologies for biologically active compounds from wine by-products (Vitis vinifera L.). We also focused on a particular application of such compounds towards the development of value-added skin protection products aligned with a sustainable circular economy.

Automated summary

The vinification process generates by-products with high polyphenol content, such as seeds, skins, pulp, and/or stems, which can be used to produce functional food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic ingredients. Conventional extraction techniques using solvents are harmful to health and the environment, leading to a demand for sustainable methods. Advances in technology now allow for the recovery of valuable antioxidants from winemaking by-products in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Nanotechnology has also played a role in improving the stability and bioavailability of these compounds, opening up new possibilities for applications in the skincare industry.