Nutraceutical potential of Mediterranean agri-food waste and wild plants: Green extraction and bioactive characterization.

Jose A Mendiola, Lidia Montero, Norelhouda Abderrrezag, Gloria Domínguez-Rodríguez

Journal: Advances in food and nutrition research 2025;114():1-95

PMID: 40155083

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The agricultural waste and wild plants of the Mediterranean region offer significant nutraceutical potential, rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, carotenoids, lipids and volatile organic compounds. These compounds exhibit health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Advanced analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS and NMR are essential for the accurate chemical characterization of these bioactives. Green extraction methods, including ultrasound-assisted, enzyme-assisted and cold plasma-assisted extractions, provide efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to classical techniques for the isolation of bioactive compounds. The valorization of Mediterranean agricultural by-products, such as olive pomace, grape seeds, and citrus peels, exemplifies sustainable approaches to the utilization of these underutilized resources. This chapter explores the bioactive characterization and green extraction methods that contribute to unlocking the nutraceutical potential of Mediterranean plant waste and wild plants, highlighting their role in the development of functional foods and natural health products.

Address: Laboratory of Foodomics, Institute of Food Science Research, CIAL, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Laboratory of Environmental Processes Engineering, University of Salah Boubnider Constantine 3, Constantine, Algeria.; Laboratory of Foodomics, Institute of Food Science Research, CIAL, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.; Laboratory of Foodomics, Institute of Food Science Research, CIAL, CSIC, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].; Laboratory of Foodomics, Institute of Food Science Research, CIAL, CSIC, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2024.09.001

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/dietarysupplements.html

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/non-CPTAC-3321

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1043...

MeSH Terms: Dietary Supplements, Mediterranean Region, Waste Products, Antioxidants, Plant Extracts, Green Chemistry Technology, Humans, Diet, Mediterranean, Food Loss and Waste