From winery waste to bioactive compounds and new polymeric biocomposites: A contribution to the circular economy concept

Recent advances incombined Avant-garde technologies (thermal-thermal, non-thermal-non-thermal, and thermal-non-thermal matrix) to extract polyphenols from agro byproducts

Because food byproducts (waste) are rich in phytoconstituents, valorizing them is crucial for global food security. However, conventional extraction (CE), including decoction, maceration, Soxhlet, etc., for agro byproducts' polyphenol extraction are time-consuming and rely significantly on vast volumes of potentially aggressive solvents. Hence, Avantgarde extraction technologies, including non-thermal (high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE), pulsed-electric field (PEF), high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), etc.) and thermal extraction (supercritical fluid (SCF), subcritical water extraction (SWE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), etc.), as well as their thermal combinations (SCF-PLE, SCCO2-SWE, SCCO2-MAE, etc.), non-thermal combinations (HHPE + UAE, PEF + UAE, HVED + UAE, etc.) and combined thermalnon-thermal (MAE-UAE, etc.) are increasingly replacing CE. However, a review of combined Avant-garde extraction escalation technologies (non-thermal/thermal extraction matrix) for extracting polyphenols from agro-byproducts is limited. Hence, this manuscript reviewed Avant-garde extraction technologies (non-thermal/thermal extraction matrix) for extracting phenolics from agro-byproducts in the last 5 years. The key factors affecting polyphenols' extraction from the byproduct, the recent applications of Avant-garde technologies, and their principle were reviewed using databases from Web of Science and Lens.org. The results demonstrated that combined Avant-garde extraction escalation technologies increase extractability, resulting in polyphenols with higher extraction rates, fewer contaminants, and preservation of thermosensitive components. Therefore, combined Avant-garde extraction technologies should be explored over the next five years. Implementing an integrated process and the strategic sequencing of diverse Avant-garde extraction technologies are important. Thus, further investigation is required to explore the sequencing process and its potential impact on the extraction of phenolics from agro-byproducts.

Subcritical Water Extraction to Valorize Grape Biomass-A Step Closer to Circular Economy

With the increase in the world population, the overexploitation of the planet's natural resources is becoming a worldwide concern. Changes in the way humankind thinks about production and consumption must be undertaken to protect our planet and our way of living. For this change to occur, sustainable development together with a circular economic approach and responsible consumption are key points. Agriculture activities are responsible for more than 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions; moreover, by 2050, it is expected that food production will increase by 60%. The valorization of food waste is therefore of high importance to decrease the environmental footprint of agricultural activities. Fruits and vegetables are wildly consumed worldwide, and grapes are one of the main producers of greenhouse gases. Grape biomass is rich in bioactive compounds that can be used for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and their extraction from this food residue has been the target of several studies. Among the extraction techniques used for the recovery of bioactive compounds from food waste, subcritical water extraction (SWE) has been the least explored. SWE has several advantages over other extraction techniques such as microwave and ultrasound extraction, allowing high yields with the use of only water as the solvent. Therefore, it can be considered a green extraction method following two of the principles of green chemistry: the use of less hazardous synthesis (principle number 3) and the use of safer solvents and auxiliaries (principle number 5). In addition, two of the green extraction principles for natural products are also followed: the use of alternative solvents or water (principle number 2) and the use of a reduced, robust, controlled and safe unit operation (principle number 5). This review is an overview of the extraction process using the SWE of grape biomass in a perspective of the circular economy through valorization of the bioactive compounds extracted. Future perspectives applied to the SWE are also discussed, as well as its ability to be a green extraction technique.

Improvement of the Thermo-Oxidative Stability of Biobased Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) Using Biogenic Wine By-Products as Sustainable Functional Fillers

Biobased poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) represents one promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers. Its sensitivity to thermo-oxidative degradation is one reason for its limited application. In this research, two different varieties of wine grape pomaces (WPs) were investigated as fully biobased stabilizers. WPs were prepared via simultaneous drying and grinding to be used as bio-additives or functional fillers at higher filling rates. The by-products were characterized in terms of composition and relative moisture, in addition to particle size distribution analysis, TGA, and assays to determine the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity. Biobased PBS was processed with a twin-screw compounder with WP contents up to 20 wt.-%. The thermal and mechanical properties of the compounds were investigated with DSC, TGA, and tensile tests using injection-molded specimens. The thermo-oxidative stability was determined using dynamic OIT and oxidative TGA measurements. While the characteristic thermal properties of the materials remained almost unchanged, the mechanical properties were altered within expected ranges. The analysis of the thermo-oxidative stability revealed WP as an efficient stabilizer for biobased PBS. This research shows that WP, as a low-cost and biobased stabilizer, improves the thermo-oxidative stability of biobased PBS while maintaining its key properties for processing and technical applications.

Integral Valorization of Grape Pomace for Antioxidant Pickering Emulsions

Full harnessing of grape pomace (GP) agricultural waste for the preparation of antioxidant Pickering emulsions is presented herein. Bacterial cellulose (BC) and polyphenolic extract (GPPE) were both prepared from GP. Rod-like BC nanocrystals up to 1.5 µm in length and 5-30 nm in width were obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis (EH). The GPPE obtained through ultrasound-assisted hydroalcoholic solvent extraction presented excellent antioxidant properties assessed using DPPH, ABTS and TPC assays. The BCNC-GPPE complex formation improved the colloidal stability of BCNC aqueous dispersions by decreasing the Z potential value up to -35 mV and prolonged the antioxidant half-life of GPPE up to 2.5 times. The antioxidant activity of the complex was demonstrated by the decrease in conjugate diene (CD) formation in olive oil-in-water emulsions, whereas the measured emulsification ratio (ER) and droplet mean size of hexadecane-in-water emulsions confirmed the physical stability improvement in all cases. The synergistic effect between nanocellulose and GPPE resulted in promising novel emulsions with prolonged physical and oxidative stability.

Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts and Essential Oils

Plant extracts and essential oils have a wide variety of molecules with potential application in different fields such as medicine, the food industry, and cosmetics. Furthermore, these plant derivatives are widely interested in human and animal health, including potent antitumor, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and bactericidal activity. Given this diversity, different methodologies were needed to optimize the extraction, purification, and characterization of each class of biomolecules. In addition, these plant products can still be used in the synthesis of nanomaterials to reduce the undesirable effects of conventional synthesis routes based on hazardous/toxic chemical reagents and associate the properties of nanomaterials with those present in extracts and essential oils. Vegetable oils and extracts are chemically complex, and although they are already used in the synthesis of nanomaterials, limited studies have examined which molecules are effectively acting in the synthesis and stabilization of these nanostructures. Similarly, few studies have investigated whether the molecules coating the nanomaterials derived from these extracts and essential oils would bring benefits or somehow reduce their potential activity. This synergistic effect presents a promising field to be further explored. Thus, in this review article, we conducted a comprehensive review addressing the main groups of molecules present in plant extracts and essential oils, their extraction capacity, and available methodologies for their characterization. Moreover, we highlighted the potential of these plant products in the synthesis of different metallic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial capacity. Furthermore, we correlated the extract’s role in antimicrobial activity, considering the potential synergy between molecules from the plant product and the different metallic forms associated with nanomaterials.

Phytochemicals Recovery from Grape Pomace: Extraction Improvement and Chemometric Study

In the last 20 years, an increased interest has been shown in the application of different types and combinations of enzymes to obtain phenolic extracts from grape pomace in order to maximize its valorization. Within this framework, the present study aims at improving the recovery of phenolic compounds from Merlot and Garganega pomace and at contributing to the scientific background of enzyme-assisted extraction. Five commercial cellulolytic enzymes were tested in different conditions. Phenolic compound extraction yields were analyzed via a Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology and a second extraction step with acetone was sequentially added. According to DoE, 2% w/w enzyme/substrate ratio was more effective than 1%, allowing a higher total phenol recovery, while the effect of incubation time (2 or 4 h) variation was more enzyme-dependent. Extracts were characterized via spectrophotometric and HPLC-DAD analyses. The results proved that enzymatic and acetone Merlot and Garganega pomace extracts were complex mixtures of compounds. The use of different cellulolytic enzymes led to different extract compositions, as demonstrated using PCA models. The enzyme effects were observed both in water enzymatic and in the subsequent acetone extracts, probably due to their specific grape cell wall degradation and leading to the recovery of different molecule arrays.

Recovery of phenolic compounds from wine lees using green processing: Identifying target molecules and assessing membrane ultrafiltration performance

Winery wastes are rich in polyphenols with high added value to be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products. This work aims at recovering and purifying the polyphenolic fraction occurring in the malolactic fermentation lees generated during the production of Albariño wines. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and related compounds were recovered from this oenological waste by green liquid extraction using water as the solvent. The resulting extract solution was microfiltered to remove microparticles and further treated by ultrafiltration (UF) using membranes of 30 kDa and 5 kDa molecular weight cut-offs (MWCOs). The feed sample and the filtrate and retentate solutions from each membrane system were analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. The most abundant polyphenols in the extracts were identified and quantified, namely: caftaric acid with a concentration of 200 µg g^-1 and trans-coutaric acid, cis-coutaric acid, gallic acid, and astilbin with concentrations between 15 and 40 µg g^-1. Other minor phenolic acids and flavanols were also found. The UF process using the 30 kDa membrane did not modify the extract composition, but filtration through the 5 kDa poly-acrylonitrile membrane elicited a decrease in polyphenolic content. Hence, the 30 kDa membrane was recommended to further pre-process the extracts. The combined extraction and purification process presented here is environmentally friendly and demonstrates that malolactic fermentation lees of Albariño wines are a valuable source of phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids.

Bioactive Phytochemical Composition of Grape Pomace Resulted from Different White and Red Grape Cultivars

Grapes are rich in phenolic compounds, being important for human health with anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity. The winemaking of the grapes generates significant amounts of waste. These wastes contain bioactive compounds in their biomass that can be used as a source of food improvement or as a source of nutrition supplementation. This study looks at the content of bioactive compounds, the polyphenolic profile, and the antioxidant activity in different white and red grape pomaces. The investigation of bioactive characteristics (total polyphenols, total flavonoids, catechins, tannins, and antioxidant activity) was carried out by UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods, while the individual polyphenolic composition was investigated by target and screening UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis. Principal components (PCA) and the heat maps analysis allows the discrimination between the grape pomace resulted from white grape cultivars (Muscat Ottonel and Tamaioasa Romaneasca) and red grape pomaces (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Feteasca Neagra, Burgund Mare, Pinot Nore), with the identification of the specific phenolic compounds for each grape pomace type.

An Alternative Source of Biopesticides and Improvement in Their Formulation-Recent Advances

Plant protection in contemporary agriculture requires intensive pesticide application. Their use has enabled the increase in yields, simplifying cultivation systems and crop protection strategies, through successful control of harmful organisms. However, it has led to the accumulation of pesticides in agricultural products and the environment, contaminating the ecosystem and causing adverse health effects. Therefore, finding new possibilities for plant protection and effective control of pests without consequences for humans and the environment is imperative for agricultural production. The most important alternatives to the use of chemical plant protection products are biopesticides. However, in order to increase their application and availability, it is necessary to improve efficacy and stability through new active substances and improved formulations. This paper represents an overview of the recent knowledge in the field of biopesticides and discusses the possibilities of the use of some new active substances and the improvement of formulations.

Manufacture and Characterization of Recycled Polypropylene and Olive Pits Biocomposites

The present work studies the use of olive pit (OP) as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composites based on a post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP). In this way, it is feasible to provide added value from olive pits, a by-product resulting from the olive industry operations, while promoting the circular economy and reducing the use of fossil-based polymers. For this purpose, suitable samples were manufactured using 25 wt% and 40 wt% of OP. Additionally, the effect of incorporating additives was studied: (a) a process control additive (PA), and (b) a coupling agent of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP). The results showed an improvement in Young’s and flexural modulus with the OP addition. The incorporation of PA did not present any significant improvement in the properties of the materials, nevertheless it facilitated the biocomposite manufacturing process. As for the coupling agent, it significantly improved the mechanical properties, achieving the best results with the addition of the two types of additives and 40 wt% of OP. Moreover, the thermal properties were maintained, and there was an increase in crystallinity in all composites compared to rPP. According to the results of the fracture surface analysis, the coupling agent improves reinforcement-polymer matrix cohesion.

A green approach to phenolic compounds recovery from olive mill and winery wastes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery of phenolic compounds from olive mill and winery wastes by conventional solid-liquid extraction (SLE) using water as the extraction solvent. The studied variables were extraction time (5-15 min), temperature (25-90 °C), solid-to-liquid ratio (1:10-1:100 (kg/L)), pH (3-10) and application of multiple extractions (1-3). The extraction efficiency was evaluated in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), but also from the recovery of some representative phenolic compounds. The optimized conditions were one extraction step, 10 min, 25 °C, 1:30 (kg/L), pH 5 for olive pomace, and one extraction step, 10 min, 70 °C, 1:100 (kg/L), pH 5 for winery residues. The extraction method is simple and suitable for scaling-up in industry, and the aqueous extracts are fully compatible with further purification schemes based on the use of membranes or resins. The optimized technique was applied to a set of different representative residues from olive mill and winery industries, to assess their suitability as sources for phenolic compounds recovery. The phenolic content in the extracts was evaluated by chromatographic analysis and by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay (FC). Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was determined by 2,2-azinobis-3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-sulfonat (ABTS), 2,-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Because of their high contents in phenolic compounds and great antioxidant capacity, olive pomace and lees filters were identified as especially suited sources for phenolic compounds recovery.

Increasing Value of Winery Residues through Integrated Biorefinery Processes: A Review

The wine industry is one of the most relevant socio-economic activities in Europe. However, this industry represents a growing problem with negative effects on the environment since it produces large quantities of residues that need appropriate valorization or management. From the perspective of biorefinery and circular economy, the winery residues show high potential to be used for the formulation of new products. Due to the substantial quantities of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins with high antioxidant potential in their matrix, these residues can be exploited by extracting bioactive compounds before using the remaining biomass for energy purposes or for producing fertilizers. Currently, there is an emphasis on the use of new and greener technologies in order to recover bioactive molecules from solid and liquid winery residues. Once the bio compounds are recovered, the remaining residues can be used for the production of energy through bioprocesses (biogas, bioethanol, bio-oil), thermal processes (pyrolysis, gasification combustion), or biofertilizers (compost), according to the biorefinery concept. This review mainly focuses on the discussion of the feasibility of the application of the biorefinery concept for winery residues. The transition from the lab-scale to the industrial-scale of the different technologies is still lacking and urgent in this sector.

Attempts to Create Products with Increased Health-Promoting Potential Starting with Pinot Noir Pomace: Investigations on the Process and Its Methods

A process for using grape (Pinot noir) pomace to produce products with improved health-promoting effects was investigated. This process integrated a solid–liquid extraction (SLE) method and a method to acylate the polyphenolics in the extract. This report describes and discusses the methods used, including the rationale and considerations behind them, and the results obtained. The study begins with the work to optimize the SLE method for extracting higher quantities of (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin and quercetin by trialing 28 different solvent systems on small-scale samples of Pinot noir pomace. One of these systems was then selected and used for the extraction of the same flavonoids on a large-scale mass of pomace. It was found that significantly fewer quantities of flavonoids were observed. The resultant extract was then subject to a method of derivatization using three different fatty acylating agents. The antiproliferative activities of these products were measured; however, the resulting products did not display activity against the chosen cancer cells. Limitations and improvements to the methods in this process are also discussed.

Recovery of Polyphenols from Agri-Food By-Products: The Olive Oil and Winery Industries Cases

The production of olive oil and wine are two of the main agri-food economic activities in Southern Europe. They generate large amounts of solid and liquid wastes (e.g., olive pomace, olive mill wastewater, grape pomace, grape stems, wine lees, and wine processing wastewater) that represent a major environmental problem. Consequently, the management of these residues has become a big challenge for these industries, since they are harmful to the environment but rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols. In recent years, the recovery of phenolic compounds has been proposed as a smart strategy for the valorization of these by-products, from a circular economy perspective. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of the state of the art of techniques available for the analysis, extraction, and purification of polyphenols from the olive mill and winery residues. Thus, the integration and implementation of these techniques could provide a sustainable solution to the olive oil and winery sectors.

In Vitro Evaluation of Biological Activities of Canes and Pomace Extracts from Several Varieties of Vitis vinifera L. for Inclusion in Freeze-Drying Mouthwashes

In this study, the biological activities of four extracts from Vitis vinifera by-products: two pomace extracts, white (WPE) and red (RPE), a canes extract (CE), and their combination (CoE), were evaluated, to be included in freeze-drying mouthwashes formulations. The cytocompatibility and anticancerous potential of the four extracts were tested on three cancerous cell lines, as well as the cytoprotective activity against nicotine-induced cytotoxicity and the antioxidant potential determined on a human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) cell line. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory activity and the antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms from the oral microbiome were tested. Freeze-dried mouthwashes with CoE were prepared and characterized, both as lyophilizates and after reconstitution. The four tested extracts showed the highest cytotoxicity on MDA-kb2 cell line. The antioxidant potential was demonstrated for WPE, RPE, CE, and CoE, both in non-stimulated and H₂O₂ stimulated conditions. The four extracts reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner, confirming their anti-inflammatory activity. The antimicrobial activity of tested extracts was shown against pathogenic bacteria from the oral microbiome. Mouthwashes of CoE with poloxamer-407, xylitol, and different ratios of mannitol were prepared by freeze-drying leading to porous formulations with interesting mechanical properties and reconstitution times.

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.

Immune-Related Gene Expression Profiling of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification Byproducts: A Valorization Approach II

Simple Summary

The valorization of grape byproducts appears to be a sustainable bioeconomic strategy that could promote the substitution of synthetic with natural antioxidant compounds in the food and feed industry. The nutritional physiology of broiler chickens requires special attention to the interactions between nutrients and antioxidant mechanisms since the stressor signals of factory farming could impair the immune status, resulting in detrimental effects on broilers’ performance. The objective of this study was to assess the inclusion of grape byproducts (grape pomace, wine lees, and stem extract) on the transcriptional profiling of genes regulating the immune system in the liver, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen. The dietary supplementation of grape byproducts rich in polyphenolic compounds decreased the mRNA levels of the predominant pro-inflammatory receptor in the liver, while in the spleen, the stem extract diet upregulated the aforementioned receptor. Upregulation of interleukin 8 was observed in the bursa of Fabricius and spleen of the stems extract-fed broilers. Although grape byproducts depicting a sustainable source of bioactive compounds with vast antioxidant potential, there were unveiled preliminary insights for immune stimulation at the transcriptional level.

Abstract

The valorization of vinification byproducts portrays a promising bioprocess for the enrichment of animals’ diet with bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which could regulate the immune response. Therefore, the impact of dietary grounded grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract (WYC), and grape stem extract (PE) on the relative transcript level of immune related genes of broiler chickens were examined. Two hundred forty, one-day-old as hatched (male/female) chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to four dietary groups, with four replicate pens each with 15 birds. Birds were fed either a basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 2.5% GGP, or 0.2% WYC, or 0.1% PE for 42 d. The relative expression of immune-related genes was investigated using a real-time PCR platform. The mRNA levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) were downregulated (p = 0.039) in the liver of broilers fed the GGP-containing diet compared to the CON, while in the spleen of PE-fed broilers, TLR4 was significantly upregulated (p = 0.043). The mRNA levels of interleukin 8 (IL8) tended to upregulate (p = 0.099) in the bursa of Fabricius and were significantly increased (p = 0.036) in the spleen of broilers fed the PE diet. Vinification byproducts depict a promising sustainable source of polyphenols for the poultry feed industry, but more research is needed under field conditions.

Grape pomace reduces the severity of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis and the development of steatohepatitis by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing ectopic fat deposition in mice

While non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the common cause of chronic liver disease, specific therapies are currently unavailable. The wine industry produces millions of tons of residue (pomace), which contains high levels of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to clarify the potential benefits of grape pomace for the treatment of NAFLD at different levels of severity, and to clarify the mechanism of action. C57Bl/6 mice were given high fat diet (HFD) or western diet (WD) as models of obesity and hepatic steatosis or steatohepatitis, respectively, with or without pomace supplementation (50-250 mg/day). Pomace inhibited food intake, and reduced serum leptin and body weight gain. Ectopic fat deposition was reduced, while white adipose tissue mass was preserved. In addition, pomace improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, prevented the development of adipose tissue inflammation, and reduced hepatic steatosis. Higher expression of genes involved in fatty acids transport and oxidation was observed in adipose tissue, while lipogenic genes were attenuated in the liver of pomace-treated mice. In WD-fed mice, pomace reduced the severity of hepatic steatosis and inflammation and improved blood lipid profile, but was ineffective in reversing hepatic damage of advanced NASH. In conclusion, pomace improved insulin sensitivity and reduced ectopic fat deposition, leading to a healthier metabolic profile. Pomace may hold the potential as a supplement with beneficial health outcomes for the prevention and treatment of hepatic steatosis and other obesity-related pathologies.

Phytochemical characterization of raw and cooked traditionally consumed alimurgic plants

In the past, wild edible alimurgic plants became an important alternative food source when poverty, wars or drought made it difficult to access crops. These plants were considered rich in highly nutritional compounds and also frequently used as food-medicine given their health-promoting properties. With the aim of improving our knowledge on the content of beneficial or detrimental compounds in relation with past local dietary and curative traditions, 12 wild food plant species were collected from two study areas selected for their very different degree of industrialization, urbanization, and conservation of local past traditions among the population: the Bologna province (Northern Italy) and the Middle Agri Valley (Southern Italy). Protein, polyphenol flavonoid and biogenic amine (both free and conjugated) contents and antioxidant activity of raw and boiled wild food plant extracts, and of cooking water were analyzed by means of spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. The results demonstrated that most of the phenolic compounds were released in the cooking water which also showed the highest antioxidant activity. Seventeen different phenolic compounds were identified, of which the health-related luteolin, luteolin-7-glucoside and rutin were the most abundant (e.g., S. pratensis L. and C. intybus L.). On the other hand, biogenic amines were absent or present at very low levels in cooking water of those very same species (e.g., S. pratensis L., T. officinalis Weber, C. vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia and C. intybus L.) of which traditionally a decoction is used for therapeutic purposes. Free and conjugated spermidine and spermine were generally the most abundant biogenic amines, while none of the known detrimental monoamines (e.g., histamine) was detected. In conclusion, the present results seem to support past local popular traditions which indicated beneficial medical properties of some wild edible plant, as well as of their cooking water.

Upgrading wineries to biorefineries within a Circular Economy perspective: An Italian case study

In the challenge of transforming waste into useful products that can be re-used in a circular perspective, Italian wine industry can represent a suitable model for the application of the bioeconomy principles, including the valorisation of the agricultural and food waste. In the present study, a comprehensive environmental assessment of the traditional production of wine was performed and the potentiality of a biorefinery system, based on winery waste and aimed at recovering useful bio-based products, such as grapeseed oil and calcium tartrate, was examined through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The wine company "I Borboni", producing Asprinio wine in the Campania Region (Italy), was proposed as a case study. The hotspots of the linear production system were identified and the bottling phase, in particular the production of packaging glass, resulted to contribute to the generation of impacts at 63%, on average, versus 14.3% of the agricultural phase and 22.7% of the vinification phase. The LCA results indicated human carcinogenic toxicity, freshwater eutrophication and fossil resource scarcity impact categories as the most affected ones, with normalized impacts amounting to 9.22E-03, 3.89E-04 and 2.64E-04, respectively. Two side production chains (grapeseed oil and tartrate production) were included and circular patterns were designed and introduced in the traditional production chain with the aim of valorising the winery residues and improving the overall environmental performance. By implementing the circular approach, environmental impacts in the global warming, freshwater eutrophication and mineral resource scarcity impact categories, in particular, resulted three times lower than in the linear system. The results achieved demonstrated that closing the loops in the wine industry, through the reuse of bio-based residues alternatively to fossil-based inputs within the production process, and integrating the traditional production system with new side production chains led to an upgrade of the wineries to biorefineries, towards more sustainable production patterns.

Monomers, Materials and Energy from Coffee By-Products: A Review

In recent years, the circular economy and sustainability have gained attention in the food industry aimed at recycling food industrial waste and residues. For example, several plant-based materials are nowadays used in packaging and biofuel production. Among them, by-products and waste from coffee processing constitute a largely available, low cost, good quality resource. Coffee production includes many steps, in which by-products are generated including coffee pulp, coffee husks, silver skin and spent coffee. This review aims to analyze the reasons why coffee waste can be considered as a valuable source in recycling strategies for the sustainable production of bio-based chemicals, materials and fuels. It addresses the most recent advances in monomer, polymer and plastic filler productions and applications based on the development of viable biorefinery technologies. The exploration of strategies to unlock the potential of this biomass for fuel productions is also revised. Coffee by-products valorization is a clear example of waste biorefinery. Future applications in areas such as biomedicine, food packaging and material technology should be taken into consideration. However, further efforts in techno-economic analysis and the assessment of the feasibility of valorization processes on an industrial scale are needed.

Current trends and possibilities for exploitation of Grape pomace as a potential source for value addition

Grape pomace (GP) is a low-value by-product that contains a significant amount of high value-added products. The huge amount of non-edible residues of GP wastes (seeds, skins, leaves and, stems) produced by wine industries causes' environmental pollution, management issues as well as economic loss. Studies over the past 15-20 years revealed that GP could serve as a potential source for valuable bioactive compounds like antioxidants, bioactive, nutraceuticals, single-cell protein, and volatile organic compounds with an increasing scientific interest in their beneficial effects on human and animal health. However, the selection of appropriate techniques for the extraction of these compounds without compromising the stability of the extracted products is still a challenging task for the researcher. Based on the current scenario, the review mainly summarizes the novel applications of winery wastes in many sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, livestock fields, and also the bio-energy recovery system. We also summarize the existing information/knowledge on several green technologies for the recovery of value-added by-products. For the promotion of many emerging technologies, the entrepreneur should be aware of the opportunities/techniques for the development of high-quality value-added products. Thus, this review presents systematic information on value-added by-products that are used for societal benefits concerning the potential for human health and a sustainable environment.

From winery by-product to healthy product: bioavailability, redox signaling and oxidative stress modulation by wine pomace product

The wine pomace is the main winery by-products that suppose an economic and environmental problem and their use as a functional ingredient are being increasingly recognized as a good and inexpensive source of bioactive compounds. In this sense, it is known the potential health properties of wine pomace products in the prevention of disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation such as endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, hyperglycemia, diabetes, obesity. Those effects are due to the bioactive compounds of wine pomace and the mechanisms concern especially modulation of antioxidant/prooxidant activity, improvement of nitric oxide bioavailability, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulation of antioxidant/inflammatory signal pathways. This review mainly summarizes the mechanisms of wine pomace products as modulators of oxidative status involved in cell pathologies as well as their potential therapeutic use for cardiovascular diseases. For this purpose, the review provides an overview of the findings related to the wine pomace bioactive compounds profile, their bioavailability and the action mechanisms for maintaining the redox cell balance involved in health benefits. The review suggests an important role for wine pomace product in cardiovascular diseases prevention and their regular food intake may attenuate the development and progression of comorbidities associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Integrated Efforts for the Valorization of Sweet Potato By-Products within a Circular Economy Concept: Biocomposites for Packaging Applications Close the Loop

With the aim to fully exploit the by-products obtained after the industrial extraction of starch from sweet potatoes, a cascading approach was developed to extract high-value molecules, such as proteins and pectins, and to valorize the solid fraction, rich in starch and fibrous components. This fraction was used to prepare new biocomposites designed for food packaging applications. The sweet potato residue was added to poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) in various amounts up to 40 wt % by melt mixing, without any previous treatment. The composites are semicrystalline materials, characterized by thermal stability up to 260 °C. For the composites containing up to 10 wt % of residue, the tensile strength remains over 30 MPa and the strain stays over 3.2%. A homogeneous dispersion of the sweet potato waste into the bio-polymeric matrix was achieved but, despite the presence of hydrogen bond interactions between the components, a poor interfacial adhesion was detected. Considering the significant percentage of sweet potato waste used, the biocomposites obtained show a low economic and environmental impact, resulting in an interesting bio-alternative to the materials commonly used in the packaging industry. Thus, according to the principles of a circular economy, the preparation of the biocomposites closes the loop of the complete valorization of sweet potato products and by-products.

Application of a Natural Antioxidant from Grape Pomace Extract in the Development of Bioactive Jute Fibers for Food Packaging

There is an increasing demand for the use of new food packaging materials. In this study, natural jute fibers impregnated with a Petit Verdot Red Grape Pomace Extract (RGPE) was proposed as a new active food packaging material. Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) and Enhanced Solvent Extraction (ESE) techniques were employed to obtain the bioactive RGPE. Afterward the supercritical solvent impregnation conditions to obtain RGPE-natural jute fibers were studied, by varying pressure, modifier percentage and dried RGPE mass. PLE technique offered the highest bioactive extract at 20 MPa, 55 °C, 1 h residence time using C₂H₅OH:H₂O (1:1 v/v), providing an EC50 of 3.35 ± 0.25 and antibacterial capacity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC of 12.0, 1.5 and 4.0 mg/mL RGPE respectively). The natural jute fibers impregnated with 3 mL of that RGPE (90 mg/mL) at 50 MPa and 55 °C generated the most efficient packing material with regards to its food preservation potential.

Wine By-Products as Raw Materials for the Production of Biopolymers and of Natural Reinforcing Fillers: A Critical Review

The plastic industry is today facing a green revolution; however, biopolymers, produced in low amounts, expensive, and food competitive do not represent an efficient solution. The use of wine waste as second-generation feedstock for the synthesis of polymer building blocks or as reinforcing fillers could represent a solution to reduce biopolymer costs and to boost the biopolymer presence in the market. The present critical review reports the state of the art of the scientific studies concerning the use of wine by-products as substrate for the synthesis of polymer building blocks and as reinforcing fillers for polymers. The review has been mainly focused on the most used bio-based and biodegradable polymers present in the market (i.e., poly(lactic acid), poly(butylene succinate), and poly(hydroxyalkanoates)). The results present in the literature have been reviewed and elaborated in order to suggest new possibilities of development based on the chemical and physical characteristics of wine by-products.

A Systemic Design Approach Applied to Rice and Wine Value Chains. The Case of the InnovaEcoFood Project in Piedmont (Italy)

Attention to food waste is an increasingly growing phenomenon today, especially in the context of a circular economy. The InnovaEcoFood project investigates the use of by-products of the Piedmontese rice and wine production chains to valorize their untapped potential in the food sector by applying the Systemic Design approach. We collected, systematized, and visualized a range of solutions for exploiting these by-products, starting from an in-depth literature review on the two value chains. With the support of a consortium of partners from both multidisciplinary industrial and academic sectors, it was possible to validate the links that have been generated. Eventually, the project created food products that integrated these outputs as ingredients (like flour and butter) because they have antioxidant properties and are rich in proteins. InnovaEcoFood has successfully tested how value could be created from waste. Moreover, using rice hull, marc flour, and bran lipid (butter) is of immediate technical and economic feasibility. It could be considered a viable way that deserves further experimentation.

Green processing and biotechnological potential of grape pomace: Current trends and opportunities for sustainable biorefinery

Grape pomace is a high quality biodegradable residue of the winery industry. It is comprised of grape seed, skin and stalks, and is blessed with substantial quantities of phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins with high antioxidant potential. Currently, there is huge emphasis on the isolation of bioactive molecules of grape pomace using green technologies such as microwave, ultrasound, supercritical fluids, high voltage discharge, enzymatic methods and other hybrid techniques. The major applications of these bioactives are contemplatedas nutraceuticals and extension in shelf-life of perishable foodstuffs. Alternatively, the crude form of grape pomace residues can be used for the production of energy, biofertilizers, biochar, biopolymers, composites, feed for ruminants and also, mushroom cultivation through microbial processing. This review discusses value-addition to grape pomace through biotechnological interventions and green processing, providing state-of-art knowledge on current scenario and opportunities for sustainability.

Cascade strategies for the full valorisation of Garganega white grape pomace towards bioactive extracts and bio-based materials

Agro-waste reduction and reuse are among the current main social challenges. In this perspective, the present research was aimed at the complete valorisation of Garganega grape pomace by recovering bioactive phenol extracts and by testing the solid fibre extract residues in composite formulation for packaging applications. The pomace was derived from white wine production, therefore, respect to red pomace, it was promptly removed from must after pressing, and its exploitation can be particularly interesting and valuable as still rich in active compounds. Phenol extracts were obtained both via solvent-based and pressurised liquid extractions and their phytochemical compositions were compared in terms of total amount of phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and reducing sugars. Antioxidant activity and detailed phenol profiles were also achieved. The highest phenol yield was obtained via solvent-based extraction with 75% acetone (v/v), solid/liquid ratio 1:5, 2h incubation at 50°C (77.9 gGAeq/kgDW). The fibrous solid residue of the extraction was characterized via thermogravimetric analysis and used for composite preparation by melt mixing with the renewable and biodegradable PHBV polymer through a green approach (solvent-less process). The composites resulted thermally stable at high temperatures, showing initial degradation processes only at temperatures higher than 250°C. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses were carried out to study melting and crystallization phenomena, while mechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests. The materials finally showed properties similar to those of the matrix. The bio-composites can be considered as an alternative to plain PHBV, since they are less expensive and eco-friendlier thanks to a reduced polymeric content, and they could represent a suitable way for full agro-waste exploitation.

Towards Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector. A Systematic Literature Review

Over the last decade, the unsustainability of the current economic model, based on the so-called take-make-dispose paradigm, has emerged. In particular, the agro-food sector (AFS) has been severely affected by such problems as resource scarcity and food loss and waste generation along the supply chain. In addition, climate change and biodiversity loss have helped to define an imperative paradigm shift towards a circular economy. Recently, with the publication of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the scientific research examining the adoption of circular economy (CE) models and tools has increased. In this context, the importance of shifting towards a circular economy has become urgent. In this paper, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to investigate the state-of-the-art research related to the adoption of circular economy models and tools along the agro-food supply chain. Furthermore, this review highlights that, due to the complexity of the agri-food supply chain, it is almost utopian to define a unique circular economy model for the whole sector. In addition, it emerges that future researches should be concentrated on the integration of different stages of the supply chain with circular economy models and tools in order to create a closed-loop agri-food system.

Eco-Conversion of Two Winery Lignocellulosic Wastes into Fillers for Biocomposites: Vine Shoots and Wine Pomaces

Two winery residues, namely vine shoots (ViSh) and wine pomace (WiPo), were up-cycled as fillers in PHBV-based biocomposites. Answering a biorefinery approach, the impact of a preliminary polyphenols extraction step using an acetone/water mixture on the reinforcing effect of fillers was assessed. Biocomposites (filler content up to 20 wt%) were prepared by melt-mixing and compared in terms of final performance (thermal, mechanical and barrier). It was shown that the reinforcing effect was slightly better in the case of vine shoots, while it was not significantly affected by the pre-treatment, demonstrating that these two winery residues could be perfectly used as fillers in composite materials even after an extraction process to maximize their potential of valorization.

Production of Sustainable and Biodegradable Polymers from Agricultural Waste

Agro-wastes are derived from diverse sources including grape pomace, tomato pomace, pineapple, orange, and lemon peels, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, wheat straw, and palm oil fibers, among other affordable and commonly available materials. The carbon-rich precursors are used in the production bio-based polymers through microbial, biopolymer blending, and chemical methods. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 20–30% of fruits and vegetables are discarded as waste during post-harvest handling. The development of bio-based polymers is essential, considering the scale of global environmental pollution that is directly linked to the production of synthetic plastics such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PET). Globally, 400 million tons of synthetic plastics are produced each year, and less than 9% are recycled. The optical, mechanical, and chemical properties such as ultraviolet (UV) absorbance, tensile strength, and water permeability are influenced by the synthetic route. The production of bio-based polymers from renewable sources and microbial synthesis are scalable, facile, and pose a minimal impact on the environment compared to chemical synthesis methods that rely on alkali and acid treatment or co-polymer blending. Despite the development of advanced synthetic methods and the application of biofilms in smart/intelligent food packaging, construction, exclusion nets, and medicine, commercial production is limited by cost, the economics of production, useful life, and biodegradation concerns, and the availability of adequate agro-wastes. New and cost-effective production techniques are critical to facilitate the commercial production of bio-based polymers and the replacement of synthetic polymers.