Abstract
The inedible part (stones, husks, kernels, seeds) of the tree fruits that are currently processed in various regions of Greece constitutes a huge portion of the fruit processing solid waste that remains underexploited. In this review, the existing scientific background for the composition and content of fruit stone and seed in bioactive ingredients is highlighted for olives, stone fruits and citrus fruits that represent the economically most important tree crop products of the country. The content of bioactive compounds may vary considerably depending on the quality of the raw material and the treatment during processing. However, both the hydrophilic and the lipophilic fractions of the seeds contain significant amounts of the primary and the secondary plant metabolites. Among them, phytosterols and several types of polyphenols, but also squalene, tocopherols and some other terpenoids with a unique structure are of particular importance for the utilization and valorization of stones and seeds. Official and scholar records about the current management practices are also presented to highlight the dynamics of the Greek fruit sector. Prospects for the regionalization of fruit seed wastes, in line with EU-promoted Research and Innovation Strategies (RIS) for Smart Specialization are critically discussed.
Highlights
The inedible part of the tree fruits that are currently processed in various regions of Greece constitutes a huge portion of the fruit processing solid waste that remains underexploited
The major fruit production in Greece is derived from permanent tree crops (Cultivated areas of tree plantations and their production) and is comprised of olives, citrus, stone fruits and pome fruits [3]
There is a long tradition in the production of table olives, olive oil, grape wine, and winery products in Greece with more than 80% of the corresponding crops intended for industrial processing, other types of processed fruits are still not fully developed
Summary
Fruits and vegetables constitute an important sector in the agricultural production of Greece holding very important share (about 39%) in the domestic agricultural economy, estimated at around. The major fruit production in Greece is derived from permanent tree crops (Cultivated areas of tree plantations and their production) and is comprised of olives (mainly oil producing), citrus (oranges, tangerines, lemons), stone fruits (peaches, apricots, cherries) and pome fruits (apples, pears) [3]. Recycling 2018, 3, 9 fruit market [7] This trend is partially due to the high revenues gained by exporting fresh Greek fruits (citrus, kiwifruits, table grapes, peaches/apricots), often much higher than those for processed products such as olive oil. RP and RC have the major revenues from virgin and crude pomace olive oil production, RI and RWG from citrus juice production while RCM from the canned fruit industry (involving cling peaches, apricots and very few quantities of pears, strawberries, and cherries). The existing scientific background for the composition of tree fruit stones and seeds in bioactive ingredients and their valorization potential will be highlighted for olives, stone fruits, and oranges, the major types of tree fruits that are currently produced and processed in Greece
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