Secondary metabolites, functional properties and reuse of agro-industrial by-products
Vincenzo De Feo E-Mail
University of Salerno, ssd BIO/15 – Pharmaceutical Biology, Salerno, Italy
Research Keywords: food plants; aromatic plants; secondary metabolites; biological activity; nutraceuticals
Filomena Nazzaro E-Mail
The Institute of Food Sciences, CNR, Via Roma 64, 83100, Avellino, Italy
Research Keywords: biofilm; antibacterial; bio-preserving agents; essential oils; natural extract; food biochemistry and biological activity
Flavio Polito E-Mail
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
The agri-food industry produces an enormous quantity of different by-products, which, in almost all cases, have the destiny to be disposed of. Their disposal, however, involves high costs that are borne by private and / or state companies, thus entailing a considerable economic and logistical burden. In some cases, however, the waste material is destined for composting, a practice that, however, does not fully enhance the identity of the by-product. Therefore, agri-food by-products can be better identified as “secondary products”, since they are very often still rich in metabolites characterized by useful and various biological activities. These substances, belonging to both primary and secondary metabolism, could see promising use in various sectors, starting from the food, but also cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and health sectors. They could also be applied as bio-agrochemicals, with lower toxicity for the environment and for human health, constituting excellent candidates for replacing the conventional agrochemicals, harmful to humans and the environment. This special issue is dedicated to original research on the phytochemical characterization and biological activities of secondary products of agro-industrial processes and their possible reuse in food (for instance, as dyes or in the preparation of special foods or spirits, or as natural preserving agents), cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, health care and agricultural fields, such as insecticides, repellents, herbicides, biostimulants, antimicrobials, antifungals.
Keywords: agro-industry; secondary products; composition, biological activity; foods, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, bio-agrochemicals