Applications of citrus peels valorisation in circular bioeconomy

Abstract

Plant-derived! biomass,! in! particular,! offers! a! raw! material! that! is! potentially! cost! effective! in! producing! affordable! food,! energy,!feed,! sanitation,!and!clean! drinking!water.!Citrus! fruits!have!been!extensively!docu- mented!for!their!bene"cial!health!effects!and!signi"cant!contribution!to!agricultural!waste!worldwide!as!fruit! peels,!which!are!often!discarded!and!hence!remain!unexploited.!Polyphenols!found!in!citrus!peels!have!health-! promoting! bene"ts! and! serve! as! catalysts/resources! for! producing! valuable! ingredients.! The! current! review! highlights!the!exploitation!of!citrus!peels!in!the!production!of!biofuels,!essential!oils,!bio-based!nanomaterials,! and!the!enrichment!of!functional!foods,!thus!highlighting!their!nutritional!and!health!bene"ts.!Conclusively,!the! review! comprehensively!aligns! with! sustainable! practices! in! the! agro-industrial! sector,! alongside! the! circular! bioeconomy!concept.