Value Addition in Citrus and Valorisation of Waste for Secondary Agriculture and Profit Optimization

Abstract

Citrus fruits are among the most important horticultural commodities worldwide because of their nutritional, medicinal, and industrial significance. India is a leading producer of mandarin, sweet orange, lemon, and acid lime; however, substantial post-harvest losses occur due to inadequate storage, limited processing infrastructure, and poor value-addition practices. Citrus fruits are highly valued
because of their refreshing flavour, rich nutritional composition, antioxidant properties, and therapeutic importance. They are important sources of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, sugars, dietary fiber, organic acids, and several bioactive compounds that contribute to human health. Citrus fruits are highly suitable for secondary agriculture because nearly every component of the fruit can be converted into value-added products. Approximately 40–45% of citrus fruits are utilized for juice extraction, while the remaining 55% is generated as waste in the form of peel, pulp, pomace, and seeds. Traditionally, these by-products were discarded, causing environmental pollution and economic losses.