Valorization Strategies of Technological and Therapeutic Properties of Orange Byproducts

Orange byproducts are generated from the production of citrus juice and consist of approximately 45–60% of the fruit. It has been estimated that global orange juice production can generate between 0.8 and 1 million tons of byproducts each year. This waste represents for producers not only an underutilized commodity but also a source of environmental pollution and a heavy cost for its disposal. The most common processes implemented to improve their management are their use as fertilizers or animal feed, as well as other minor uses. Recently, many alternatives have been proposed to add value to these residues. Most of them aim to exploit the higher dietary fibre, phenolic and antioxidant values contained in the peel of orange and pomace compared with the fruit and the presence of characteristic beneficial compounds present only in the peel, such as limonoids, alkaloids, pectin, and essential oils. Starting from this evidence, valuable molecules generated from orange waste can be used in the food, cosmetic, or pharma industries. Other interesting applications reported in the literature involve the production of bioethanol, enzymes, adsorbent materials, food packaging, paper, and fabric. The purpose of this chapter is to examine a variety of different novel products derived from this waste as a key strategy for the application of the circular economy in the orange juice processing industries.