The development of sustainable food production practices is becoming a pressing issue due to the increase in food production to satisfy the demands of a growing population. Crucial to this matter is the management of the waste materials derived from the agricultural industry, which has generated great interest in developing strategies to utilize agri-food byproducts as alternative sources for energy, food ingredients, cosmetics and pharmaceutic products.

One of the crops that has sparked attention is the almond, currently the most produced nut in the world. Its production generates a large amount of underutilised waste like shells, hulls and skins, leading to a rising interest for their revalorization.

Almond fruits consist in different parts: an external hull, an intermediate shell, a skin and an edible seed knows and the kernel. The hull is the heaviest part, representing around 50% of the total weight. The processing of almonds for their consumption as food involves the eliminations of the external parts, which generates 2.7 million metric tons of waste yearly, counting shells and hulls.

These byproducts contain a wide selection of bioactive compounds that can be exploited in various industrial sectors. For instance, kernels and skins have been widely studies as a source of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and lignin. Another interesting aspect is the presence of volatile compounds, notably α-pinene, limonene and eugenol. Almonds are also rich in fatty acids, with 40% to 50% being unsaturated and proteins. Although the kernel accounts for most of the protein content, the skins and hulls also have a significant amount of proteins and the chemical profile of almonds shows that they include most of the essential amino acids.

One of the most important aspects in the revalorization of almond by products is the biological activity of their different components. Particularly, phenolic compounds given their antioxidant properties have been analysed for their anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting potential. Furthermore, almond skins have also shown promising antimicrobial and prebiotic effects, promoting intestinal microbiota diversity and improving the overall gastrointestinal function.

In this context, the UP4HEALTH project is aiming to demonstrate an integrated biorefinery approach for the transformation of agricultural waste products into functional ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.

The revalorization of almond by products not only promotes sustainability but also opens new opportunities contributing to a more efficient and environmentally friendly bioeconomy. By harnessing the valuable bioactive compounds found in almond shells, hulls, and skins, high-value products can be created to meet the growing consumer demand for natural and healthy ingredients.

Read our publication here:  https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/8/1793