Nano-processing of Apple Pomace for Cosmetics Ingredients

Abstract

Apple is widely produced and consumed worldwide. Substantial amounts of unused apple by-products, such as pomace, are produced by industrial activities. This study investigated the rheological properties of apple pomace powder with different cultivars prepared using carboxymethylation to varying degrees of substitution (DS) up to DS 0.4 and nanoprocessing using a high-pressure homogenizer. We found a high carboxyl content on cellulose in apple pomace nanoparticle (APN) cultivars and enhanced water retention value as a humectant with increased DS during pretreatment. The addition of carboxymethylation also significantly increased the consistency and spreading ability of the APN hydrogel until optimal state and decreased it at higher DS. The APN hydrogel had better water retention value than viscose and alginate. It also had better consistency than commercial humectants (i.e., glycerol and collagen) and a spreading ability that was comparable to other thickening agents (i.e., Carbopol 940, 941, 980, and Aristoflex).