Session: Heterocycles & Aromatics:

Mother Nature is a reliable source of an array of phytoceuticals and nutraceuticals even from natural food waste. The avocado (Persea americana) is a nutritious fruit with growing demand around the world. According to the global avocado market report 2020, the worldwide avocado turnover has been forecasted to reach about 18 billion USD in 2025 from about 13 billion USD in 2019. The fruit contains a large seed which is about 13-18% of the size of the whole fruit. The fruit is affectionally referred to as the “perfect fruit”, due to its nutritional value and healthy dietary fibers. Containing mostly carbohydrates, it carries about 75% of total fat, with mostly mono- and polyunsaturated, proven to be much healthier than saturated fats. It is believed that the probability of cardiovascular diseases is less likely to occur if the avocado is incorporated into the daily diet. The kernel or soft, buttery, edible part is used for intake and the pit is tossed as waste. While somewhat preliminary research works have been reported specifying the therapeutic effects of the seed powder and/or the uses of this powder as a facial mask, hair/skin conditioner but the seed husk (testa) is still thrown away as a waste of waste. Our laboratory is actively engaged in the chemical analyses of the neglected botanicals and food waste and recently we have carried out extensive HPLC-tandem mass spectral analyses (positive and negative ion modes) of the water extract derived from the avocado testa. A series of drugs, drug-precursors, food additives, food flavoring agents, fragrances, and industrially important molecules have successfully been identified. Developing a new direction for the meaningful utilization of food waste would definitely reduce the waste content and might help to develop a new and novel source of medicinally privileged and industrially relevant compounds.

Dr. Debasish Bandyopadhyay

Assistant Professor, The University of Texas Rio Grade Valley, Department of Chemistry, Edinburg, Texas 78539, USA

Appearances