Exploration of soluble dietary fiber extraction technique for enhancing physicochemical and structural properties of mango and pomegranate peel

Fruit peel is the major bio-waste with no commercial value and possible industrial application. Different methods have already been employed for extraction of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from various fruit peels. However, a sustainable and well reproducible method with efficient SDF yield is yet to uncover. Therefore, the present study attempted to decipher a new extraction method encompassed chemo-mechanical and thermal treatments among two varieties of Indian mango, i.e., totapuri and safeda (M1 and M2, respectively), and pomegranate, i.e., bhagwa and daru (P1 and P2, respectively), peel. The M1 sample resulted in maximum SDF yield as 44.35 +/- 0.66% using a modified method employing chemical (vinegar 6%, and sodium hydroxide 0.4%), mechanical (ultrasonication at 150 W), and thermal (autoclaving at 121 degrees C/5 min) treatments. The spectroscopic and analytical characterization of SDF samples exhibited efficient structural properties with enhanced physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, the present study highlights the potential of a novel extraction method for the valorization of waste to a value-added functional food ingredient.