Sustainable valorization of pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) peel in a semi-continuous high-pressure hydrothermal process to recover value-added products

Author(s)

Ferreira, Vanessa Cosme ; Sganzerla, William Gustavo ; Barroso, Tiago Linhares Cruz Tabosa ; Castro, Luiz Eduardo Nochi ; Colpini, Leda Maria Saragiotto ; Forster-Carneiro, Tania

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food Research International; v. 173, p. 12-pg., 2023-11-01.

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of a semi-continuous high-pressure hydrothermal process for the recovery of valueadded products from pitaya peel. The process was carried out at 15 MPa, a water flow rate of 2 mL/min, a solvent-to-feed ratio of 60 g water/g pitaya peel, and temperatures ranging from 40 to 210 degrees C. The results show that extraction temperatures (between 40 and 80 degrees C) promoted the recovery of betacyanin (1.52 mg/g), malic acid (25.6 mg/g), and citric acid (25.98 mg/g). The major phenolic compounds obtained were p-coumaric acid (144.63 & PLUSMN; 0.42 & mu;g/g), protocatechuic acid (91.43 & PLUSMN; 0.32 & mu;g/g), and piperonylic acid (74.2 & PLUSMN; 0.31 & mu;g/g). The hydrolysis temperatures (between 150 and 210 degrees C) could produce sugars (18.09 mg/g). However, the hydrolysis process at temperatures above 180 degrees C generated Maillard reaction products, which increased the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates. Finally, the use of semi-continuous high-pressure hydrothermal process can be a sustainable and promising approach for the recovery of value-added compounds from pitaya peel, advocating a circular economy approach in the agri-food industry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/02305-2 - Evaluation of subcritical water hydrolysis in an automated reactor with in-line analysis of compounds with higher added value from pitaya peels (Hylocereus undatus)
• Grantee: Vanessa Cosme Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 21/04096-9 - Integration of the extraction/hydrolysis processes in subcritical water and purification for the valuation of grape bagasse in a biorrefinery concept
• Grantee: Luiz Eduardo Nochi de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/14582-5 - Development of a two-dimensional extraction, separation and analysis system for evaluating the bioactivity of phytochemicals
• Grantee: Maurício Ariel Rostagno
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 20/16248-5 - Purification of jabuticaba waste extracts by adsorbents and biochar using supercritical technology
• Grantee: Tiago Linhares Cruz Tabosa Barroso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master