Transforming Dried Lemon Peel Waste into Value: A Key Step Toward Full Circularity in the Lemon Juice Industry
Abstract:
The lemon juice industry generates substantial quantities of by-products, with raw lemon peel representing a pri mary waste stream. Currently, this peel is usually treated as waste or used to obtain low-value co-products. In the context of circular economy, this study explores the valorisation of dried lemon peel dust as a pathway to transform waste into valuable products. The key background of this work is the urgent need to adopt environmentally sustain able practices in the food and beverage industries. Maximizing resource efficiency, minimizing waste generation, and optimizing by-product utilization enable businesses to significantly reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing economic profitability. Adopting a circular model within the juice industry not only strengthens opera tional resilience but also boosts long-term competitiveness. This research demonstrates the potential for the recovery of dried lemon peel dust as a valuable resource. Key results reveal that lemon peel dust generation can be reduced by up to 70 wt.% through enhanced control of the drying process. Chemical analysis of the recovered dust indicates improved quality and highlights its potential uti lization as a high pectin containing product. Moreover, the sale of this upgraded material led to increased revenue through the commercialization of high-quality dust. By turning lemon peel waste (dust) into valuable products, environmental impact is significantly reduced by re purposing 1,700 tonnes of material that would otherwise be considered waste. The recovery of this dust enhances both the sustainability and profitability of lemon juice production. Given that its market value is comparable to commercial dried peel, this solution offers a viable and scalable pathway for the fruit juice industry, promoting resource efficiency and reinforcing circular economy principles.
