Unlocking nutritional and functional potential of papaya peel and its industrial applications: an overview

Abstract Papaya is a globally popular fruit cherished for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. It generates substantial amounts of seeds and peels that are often discarded as waste, contributing to environmental concerns. However, with the emergence of the zero-waste concept, there has been a shift towards valorizing papaya peels into value-added products. Papaya peels are a rich source of bioactive compounds, which can be harnessed as a potential source for nutraceutical and food applications. Incorporating papaya peels into food products and exploring their potential for therapeutic applications can significantly reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases. Papaya peel contributes to value addition across various product formulations, manifesting notable alterations in physicochemical, nutritional, and phytochemical attributes. Ongoing exploration into diverse industrial applications such as biodiesel production, bio-sorbent of metal ions, and dye from wastewater underscores efforts to optimize the utilization of this agricultural byproduct. This review explores the nutritional composition, phytochemical constituents, anti-nutritional factors, and physicochemical properties of papaya peels, highlighting their potential as a resource for nutraceutical and food applications. The review also addresses toxicity and safety concerns, including anti-nutritional factors and residual pesticides, which are critical for safe consumption and industrial use. It further elaborates on the health implications of anti-nutritional factors and methods to mitigate their effects on food applications, ensuring practical utilization. It also examines their diverse industrial uses, including biodiesel production, biosorption of metal ions and dyes from wastewater, and pharmaceutical applications. By harnessing papaya peels for functional foods and therapeutic products, their Incorporation can enhance food security, reduce chronic disease prevalence, and support sustainable development. This study underscores the significance of papaya peels as a versatile, eco-friendly resource for the food, health, and industrial sectors, aligning with global sustainability goals.