Exclusive Raw Material for Beer Production? Addressing Greener Extraction Techniques, the Relevance, and Prospects of Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) for the Food Industry

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are known worldwide for their application in the food industry by providing both aroma and flavor to the beer. Considering its popularity as an indispensable brewing crop, a lot of information can be found in the literature about the bioactive compounds present in hop cones. However, current research pointed that hop application can go further than brewing. The present review updates the emerging technologies used to extract hop bioactive compounds in comparison with the conventional ones. The main characteristics, extraction conditions, and extracted compounds of these environmentally friendly extraction methods are highlighted, helping to understand their importance and industrial applications, especially considering hop phytochemicals and their potential for the food industry. In addition, considering this still little addressed potential, this work summarizes the use of hops in different food matrices and emphasizes the relevant aspects that circumvent it. The development of "hopped products" in addition to their potential use as food preservatives expanded the hop industrial perspectives. Among the non-beer foods, meat products, minimally processed vegetables, bread, and premium products, including non-alcoholic beverages, showed up as great options to hop compound incorporation. Consumer perception based on current trends for hopped products also indicates interesting prospects for industrial spread.