Transforming orange by-products into high-value neuroprotective products: environmental and economic assessment of advanced green extraction methods

Abstract

This study explores the valorization of orange by-products for the production of neuroprotective fractions using three extraction methods: maceration, Gas Expanded Liquid (GXL) extraction, and Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE). The objective was to optimize solvent use while ensuring high bioactivity and minimal environmental impact. Initial tests with greener solvents like water and ethanol were unsuccessful in extracting neuroprotective fractions, leading to the implementation of GXL (CO2:Ethyl Acetate 1:1, 50 oC, 10 MPa), which effectively minimized ethyl acetate use while maintaining bioactivity. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Greenness assessment (AGREEprep) and economic analysis were performed to evaluate each method. LCA and Greenness assessment presented concordant results, revealed that GXL had the lowest environmental impact, while maceration had the highest. Economic analysis showed that PLE had the best economic performance, with the lowest costs, highest ROI, and shortest payback time, making it the most cost-effective option. Despite GXL’s slightly higher costs compared to PLE, it achieved substantial environmental benefits. These findings confirm that optimizing advanced extraction methods like PLE and GXL can transform citrus waste into profitable, high-value neuroprotective extracts while promoting sustainability in the food processing industry. This approach supports the development of a circular bioeconomy and eco-friendly extraction practices.