The agro-industry generates a large amount of waste and by-products, the disposal of which has a negative impact on the environment and the economy. Any part of plants such as husks, seeds, leaves, roots, and stems can be considered as a source of bioactive compounds, and their valorization is imperative for the sustainability of the food industry. Plant-based waste and by-products are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, dietary fiber, proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can be exploited for the improvement of the nutritional quality of foods.
There is a rising demand in maintaining human wellness through nutrition which has greatly promoted the interest in food bioactive compounds all over the world. Food bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, phytochemicals, dietary fiber, and lipids can be extracted from agro-industrial by-products and wastes. Therefore, finding new or non-conventional sources, new and more 'green' extraction methods, innovative approaches to designing functional foods, and improving food properties is a challenge for the food industry.
This Research Topic is looking for original research articles and reviews that will give new insights in:
• Nutrient and bioactive composition of agro-industry by-products
• Emerging technologies for the extraction of bioactive compounds
• Designing functional foods with specific metabolic targets
• Innovations in the use of by-products for improvement of food properties
The agro-industry generates a large amount of waste and by-products, the disposal of which has a negative impact on the environment and the economy. Any part of plants such as husks, seeds, leaves, roots, and stems can be considered as a source of bioactive compounds, and their valorization is imperative for the sustainability of the food industry. Plant-based waste and by-products are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, dietary fiber, proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can be exploited for the improvement of the nutritional quality of foods.
There is a rising demand in maintaining human wellness through nutrition which has greatly promoted the interest in food bioactive compounds all over the world. Food bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, phytochemicals, dietary fiber, and lipids can be extracted from agro-industrial by-products and wastes. Therefore, finding new or non-conventional sources, new and more 'green' extraction methods, innovative approaches to designing functional foods, and improving food properties is a challenge for the food industry.
This Research Topic is looking for original research articles and reviews that will give new insights in:
• Nutrient and bioactive composition of agro-industry by-products
• Emerging technologies for the extraction of bioactive compounds
• Designing functional foods with specific metabolic targets
• Innovations in the use of by-products for improvement of food properties