Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production

The valorization of citrus peel byproducts presents a sustainable and innovative approach to reducing food waste while improving the nutritional content of fruit-based products. Citrus peels, a significant byproduct of the fruit juice industry, are abundant in bioactive compounds with recognized hea...

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Main Authors: Monica Negrea, Ileana Cocan, Calin Jianu, Ersilia Alexa, Adina Berbecea, Mariana-Atena Poiana, Marius Silivasan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/8/1339
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author Monica Negrea
Ileana Cocan
Calin Jianu
Ersilia Alexa
Adina Berbecea
Mariana-Atena Poiana
Marius Silivasan
author_facet Monica Negrea
Ileana Cocan
Calin Jianu
Ersilia Alexa
Adina Berbecea
Mariana-Atena Poiana
Marius Silivasan
author_sort Monica Negrea
collection DOAJ
description The valorization of citrus peel byproducts presents a sustainable and innovative approach to reducing food waste while improving the nutritional content of fruit-based products. Citrus peels, a significant byproduct of the fruit juice industry, are abundant in bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits and functional properties, making them particularly suitable for jam production. The global citrus industry generates substantial amounts of waste, with peels accounting for approximately 50% of the total fruit mass. Conventional disposal methods often result in environmental concerns and the underutilization of valuable bioresources. This study aims to investigate the potential of incorporating citrus peel into jam formulations as a means of enhancing their nutritional and functional properties. Jams were prepared using a traditional processing technique (TP) incorporating citrus peel. The experimental jam variants included pomelo peel jam (PPJ), lime peel jam (LiPJ), lemon peel jam (LePJ), clementine peel jam (CPJ), orange peel jam (OPJ), and grapefruit peel jam (GPJ). All jam samples were subjected to comprehensive analyses, including assessments of chemical composition, total soluble solids (TSSs), titrable acidity (g/100 g acid citric), macro- and microelement contents, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using the FRAP assay. The study revealed high levels of biologically active compounds, such aspolyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, in the jams, highlighting their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Among the jams, lemon peel jam (LePJ) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content, making it a superior choice in terms of functional benefits. In terms of sensory analysis, orange peel jam (OPJ) was the most favored by consumers, demonstrating its high acceptability and potential for market success.
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spelling doaj-art-c64fc686e20342eb879cba9cbbc59cf12025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01148133910.3390/foods14081339Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam ProductionMonica Negrea0Ileana Cocan1Calin Jianu2Ersilia Alexa3Adina Berbecea4Mariana-Atena Poiana5Marius Silivasan6Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaFaculty of Engineering and Applied Technologies, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300645 Timisoara, RomaniaThe valorization of citrus peel byproducts presents a sustainable and innovative approach to reducing food waste while improving the nutritional content of fruit-based products. Citrus peels, a significant byproduct of the fruit juice industry, are abundant in bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits and functional properties, making them particularly suitable for jam production. The global citrus industry generates substantial amounts of waste, with peels accounting for approximately 50% of the total fruit mass. Conventional disposal methods often result in environmental concerns and the underutilization of valuable bioresources. This study aims to investigate the potential of incorporating citrus peel into jam formulations as a means of enhancing their nutritional and functional properties. Jams were prepared using a traditional processing technique (TP) incorporating citrus peel. The experimental jam variants included pomelo peel jam (PPJ), lime peel jam (LiPJ), lemon peel jam (LePJ), clementine peel jam (CPJ), orange peel jam (OPJ), and grapefruit peel jam (GPJ). All jam samples were subjected to comprehensive analyses, including assessments of chemical composition, total soluble solids (TSSs), titrable acidity (g/100 g acid citric), macro- and microelement contents, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using the FRAP assay. The study revealed high levels of biologically active compounds, such aspolyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, in the jams, highlighting their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. Among the jams, lemon peel jam (LePJ) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenol content, making it a superior choice in terms of functional benefits. In terms of sensory analysis, orange peel jam (OPJ) was the most favored by consumers, demonstrating its high acceptability and potential for market success.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/8/1339citrus by-productsjamnutrientsfunctional benefitssensory attributes
spellingShingle Monica Negrea
Ileana Cocan
Calin Jianu
Ersilia Alexa
Adina Berbecea
Mariana-Atena Poiana
Marius Silivasan
Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
Foods
citrus by-products
jam
nutrients
functional benefits
sensory attributes
title Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
title_full Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
title_fullStr Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
title_full_unstemmed Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
title_short Valorization of Citrus Peel Byproducts: A Sustainable Approach to Nutrient-Rich Jam Production
title_sort valorization of citrus peel byproducts a sustainable approach to nutrient rich jam production
topic citrus by-products
jam
nutrients
functional benefits
sensory attributes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/8/1339
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AT ileanacocan valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction
AT calinjianu valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction
AT ersiliaalexa valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction
AT adinaberbecea valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction
AT marianaatenapoiana valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction
AT mariussilivasan valorizationofcitruspeelbyproductsasustainableapproachtonutrientrichjamproduction