Mădălina UNGUREANU-IUGA1,2
1 Mountain Economy Center (CE-MONT), “Costin C. Kiriţescu” National Institute of Economic Researches (INCE), Romanian Academy, 49th Petreni Street, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Romania
2 Integrated Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Advanced Materials, Nanotechnologies, and Distributed Systems for Fabrication and Control (MANSiD), „Ştefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, 13th University Street, 720229, Suceava, Romania
*Corresponding author: madalina.iuga@ce-mont.ro
Abstract
Berry pomace is a significant source of fiber and bioactive compounds. Its valorization for creating high-value products presents an opportunity for mountainous areas, both environmentally and economically. This review paper aims to highlight the chemical composition of pomace from various berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries), as well as identify its health benefits and applications based on studies from the specialized literature. Scientific articles from databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were reviewed. The findings indicate that berry pomace is rich in polyphenols, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, soluble and insoluble fibers, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and more, depending on the species. Dietary fiber in berry pomace contributes to proper digestive system function. Polyphenols and certain vitamins play a key role in protecting against oxidative stress. Additionally, berry pomace has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects due to its rich composition of phenolic compounds. Berry pomace can be used as an ingredient in the food industry, a substrate for microbial substance production, a fortifier for cosmetic products, and for developing pharmaceutical preparations. This highlights the potential of these by-products for higher-value utilization, which could lead to a diversification of mountain-specific product assortments and beyond.
Keywords:
berries by-products, bioactive compounds, superior valorization, nutritional value