Valorization of red pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) peel through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach towards bioactive food packaging films

Valorization of red pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) peel through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach towards bioactive food packaging films | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Valorization of red pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) peel through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach towards bioactive food packaging films Laura Arroyo-Esquivel, Esther Rincón, Víctor M. Jiménez, Fabian Vásquez, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4888082/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study proposes efficient valorization of red pitahaya ( Hylocereus sp.) peels by separating and purifying their structural and bioactive fractions to produce bioactive films through a multi-product cascade biorefinery approach. The process begins with the extraction of a betalain-rich extract (BET), followed by the separation of pectin (PEC), and finally, the production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from the remaining residue. The cumulative yield for the entire cascade process was 75.95 %. All fractions obtained were integrated into PEC-based films reinforced with CNF in the following proportions 5, 15, 30 and 45 % CNF. The films were subsequently subjected to characterization in terms of their physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The optimal mechanical reinforcement effect was observed in films with 45% CNF, which exhibited an increased tensile strength of 20.47 MPa compared to 100% PEC, and higher thermal stability. Therefore, the ratio of 45 % CNF was selected for the addition of the bioactive fraction, which comprised 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % BET. In general, all bioactive films exhibited a compact and uniform structure. Films with higher percentages of BET showed a 50‑70 % increase in water vapor permeability (WVP), which concomitantly reduced their barrier properties and tensile strength to 26.72 MPa, probably due to their hydrophilic nature. Additionally, the inclusion of BET resulted in enhanced wettability, as evidenced by a reduction in water contact angles (36.36 º). The UV light blocking capacity increased (57 % increase) while transparency decreased (43-50 %) with the addition of BET. Betalains biomass valorization cellulose nanofibers dragon fruit natural extracts pectin. Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementaryInformation040824.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 18 Sep, 2024 Reviews received at journal 18 Sep, 2024 Reviews received at journal 11 Sep, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Aug, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Aug, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Aug, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 14 Aug, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 13 Aug, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 13 Aug, 2024 First submitted to journal 09 Aug, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4888082","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":352181225,"identity":"d94cfa9d-dc77-4941-9d75-f21694c17190","order_by":0,"name":"Laura Arroyo-Esquivel","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"University of Costa Rica","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Laura","middleName":"","lastName":"Arroyo-Esquivel","suffix":""},{"id":352181226,"identity":"6157a62f-c1bf-4f53-9b8c-f2e61ef8cb6b","order_by":1,"name":"Esther Rincón","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Córdoba","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Esther","middleName":"","lastName":"Rincón","suffix":""},{"id":352181228,"identity":"0e5d2fea-f4f7-4681-977a-515b8eeb33f7","order_by":2,"name":"Víctor M. 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