Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXIX, Issue 2
Written by Alexandru SOARE, Florentina ISRAEL-ROMING
Managing vegetable waste and by-products is a worldwide challenge for the agricultural sector. As a widely consumed vegetable crop, Brassica oleracea (B. oleracea) accounts for a higher volume of waste in the supply chain process, with cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale accounting for a significant share. Therefore, the sustainable and resource-efficient use of waste is essential. This review examines the potential applications of B. oleracea waste and by-products, with particular attention to cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale in food, pharmaceutical, and other sectors. The importance of their use in value-added applications is addressed, with emphasis on key biomolecules, technologies involved in the valorisation process, and future aspects of practical applications. Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower produce waste and by-products that are not processed, including leaves, stems, stalks, and roots. Most of these contain high-value biomolecules, including bioactive plant proteins and phytochemicals, glucosinolates, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and tocopherols. Interestingly, isothiocyanates derived from glucosinolates have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties by different interactions with cellular molecules and modulation of key cellular signalling pathways. Therefore, these B. oleracea residues can be efficiently valued using different innovative extraction and biotransformation techniques and the use of different biorefining approaches. This not only minimizes the environmental impact but also helps to develop products with high-added value for food, pharmaceutical, and other related industries.
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