Quince biowaste valorization into targeted drug delivery components and innovative health-promoting agents
Aim
Description
With the increasing demand in the herbal medicine sector for natural drug delivery components and innovative health-promoting compounds, there is a significant need to diversify the portfolio of natural products. On the other hand, there is a vast amount of agricultural waste rich in bioactive compounds. Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is one of the most underutilized fruit species. The aim of the proposed project is to create a scientific basis and an innovative systematic analytical approach for the development and valorization of new high-value health-promoting substances obtained within the framework of a sustainable zero-waste principle from various types of unused bioactive substances in quince bio-waste (pomace, branches, leaves) generated in the food production chain. The health-promoting potential of quince extracts rich in phenolic compounds will be characterized using chromatography, spectroscopic analysis, ICP-MS, DSC methods, and their pharmaceutical activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic) will be evaluated. To increase the bioavailability and improve the solubility of the extracts, the obtained quince pectin will be studied as a carrier for the extracts. Additionally, pectin will be investigated in the drug delivery system as a carrier or coating for model compounds. As far as we know, this study is novel as it investigates quince biological waste from a practical application perspective towards sustainable consumption in healthcare.
Scientific Team Members
Acting Dean, Department of Doctoral Studies
Academic Staff, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Manager, Health Care doctoral programme, Pharmacy sub-programme, Department of Doctoral Studies
Collaborating Partner
- Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
Sarmīte Janceva, Anna Andersone
