Valorization strategies of technological and therapeutic properties of orange by-products

Abstract. Orange by-products are generated from the production of citrus juice and consist about 45%–60% of the fruit. It has been estimated that global orange juice production could generate between 0.8 to 1 million tons of by-products each year This waste represents for the producers not only an underutilized commodity, but a source of environmental pollution and a heavy cost for its disposal. The most common processes implemented for improve their management is the use as fertilizers or as animal feed, as well as other minor uses. Recently, many alternatives have been proposed to add value to these residues. Most of them aim to exploit the higher dietary fiber, phenolic and antioxidant values contained in the peel of orange and pomace compared with the fruit and the presence of characteristic beneficial compounds present only in the peel, such as limonoids, alkaloids, pectin and essential oils. Starting from this evidence, valuable molecules generated from orange waste can be used in food, cosmetic, or pharma industry. Other interesting applications reported in literature involve the production of bioethanol, enzymes, adsorbent materials, food packaging, paper and fabric. The purpose of this paper is to examine a variety of different novel products derived from this waste as a key strategy for the application of the circular economy in the orange juice processing industries.