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Abstract <p>Apple pomace (AP) a major by-product of cider industry, offers significant potential for circular bioeconomy strategies. This study presents an integrated biorefinery approach combining microwave-assisted hydrothermal pretreatment for pectin recovery with subsequent anaerobic conversion of the residual solids into bioenergy or volatile fatty acids (VFA). Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction conditions (139&#xa0;°C, 8.5&#xa0;min), resulting in 34.2&#xa0;g/L of oligosaccharides with potential prebiotic activity and in the production of high-quality pectin (338&#xa0;kg/t AP). FTIR and <sup>1</sup>H-NMR analyses confirmed these results. The antioxidant activity of the recovered pectin was also verified. Following extraction, the pretreated biomass was subjected to anaerobic processes, generating biogas (235&#xa0;m<sup>3</sup> CH<sub>4</sub>/t pretreated-AP) or volatile fatty acids (240&#xa0;kg COD<sub>VFA</sub>/t pretreated-AP), with acetic acid as the predominant VFA. A preliminary economic assessment identified pectin as the main revenue stream, highlighting the potential of this sequential valorization strategy to enhance resource efficiency and reduce waste. Overall, the proposed process demonstrates a feasible pathway for transforming apple pomace into high-value bioproducts and renewable energy, supporting sustainable development in the fruit processing sector.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Integrated Hydrothermal Microwave Biorefinery of Apple Pomace: Optimized Pectin Extraction and Anaerobic Conversion to Biogas and Volatile Fatty Acids

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Esther del Amo-Mateos,
  • Berta Riaño,
  • Juan García-Martín,
  • Susana Lucas,
  • M. Teresa García-Cubero,
  • Mónica Coca

摘要

Abstract

Apple pomace (AP) a major by-product of cider industry, offers significant potential for circular bioeconomy strategies. This study presents an integrated biorefinery approach combining microwave-assisted hydrothermal pretreatment for pectin recovery with subsequent anaerobic conversion of the residual solids into bioenergy or volatile fatty acids (VFA). Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction conditions (139 °C, 8.5 min), resulting in 34.2 g/L of oligosaccharides with potential prebiotic activity and in the production of high-quality pectin (338 kg/t AP). FTIR and 1H-NMR analyses confirmed these results. The antioxidant activity of the recovered pectin was also verified. Following extraction, the pretreated biomass was subjected to anaerobic processes, generating biogas (235 m3 CH4/t pretreated-AP) or volatile fatty acids (240 kg CODVFA/t pretreated-AP), with acetic acid as the predominant VFA. A preliminary economic assessment identified pectin as the main revenue stream, highlighting the potential of this sequential valorization strategy to enhance resource efficiency and reduce waste. Overall, the proposed process demonstrates a feasible pathway for transforming apple pomace into high-value bioproducts and renewable energy, supporting sustainable development in the fruit processing sector.

Graphical Abstract