Structural Characterization and Bioactive Compound Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Waste for Potential Animal Feed Applications

Miuța Filip, Mihaela Vlassa (), Ioan Petean, Ionelia Țăranu, Daniela Marin, Ioana Perhaiță, Doina Prodan, Gheorghe Borodi and Cătălin Dragomir
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Miuța Filip: Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mihaela Vlassa: Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioan Petean: Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos Street, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ionelia Țăranu: National Research and Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition-IBNA Balotesti, 1 Calea București Street, 077015 Balotești, Romania
Daniela Marin: National Research and Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition-IBNA Balotesti, 1 Calea București Street, 077015 Balotești, Romania
Ioana Perhaiță: Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Doina Prodan: Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, Babeș-Bolyai University, 30 Fântânele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gheorghe Borodi: National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 65-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cătălin Dragomir: National Research and Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition-IBNA Balotesti, 1 Calea București Street, 077015 Balotești, Romania

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: Agricultural waste from the fruit and vegetable industry is used as an alternative source of animal feed, but detailed investigations are required. The aim of this work was to conduct a physico-chemical characterization, through analytical techniques, of fruit and vegetable wastes such as those of golden apples, red apples, carrots, celery, beetroots, and red potato peels. The bioactive compounds in the samples indicated a high carbohydrate content of 50.38 g/100 g in golden apples and 59.38 mg/100 g of organic acids in celery. In addition, the total phenolic content (TPC, mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight) varied between 3.72 in celery and 15.51 in beetroots. The antioxidant capacity values were significant. A thermal analysis showed thermal stability and weight loss, underscoring the composition of the solid samples. An infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed C-H, O-H, C=O, and N-H functional groups in non-starchy carbohydrates, organic acids, and proteins. Microscopic techniques revealed the microstructure, particle size, and semicrystalline profile of the samples. The ultrastructure (determined via atomic force microscopy (AFM)) of celery consisted of a smooth and uniform surface with a lignin and cellulose texture. These results highlight the importance of fruit and vegetable waste as an alternative source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds for animal feed.

Keywords: fruit and vegetable waste; physico-chemical methods; structural characterization; bioactive compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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