Methods for extracting and encapsulating phenolics from food waste

A method for processing a plurality of different food process waste feedstocks, the method comprising:

• providing (i) a first solid food process waste comprising a first active compound selected from the group consisting of polyphenols, flavonoids, o-diphenols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and combinations thereof, and (ii) a second solid food process waste different from the first solid food process waste and comprising a second active compound selected from the group consisting of polyphenols, flavonoids, o-diphenols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and combinations thereof, wherein the first solid food process waste and the second solid food process waste are independently selected to be different members from the group consisting of cherry pits, cherry pomace, and cherry tar;
• performing a first extraction method to extract the first solid food process waste, the first extraction method comprising:
• (a1) providing a first feed slurry comprising (i) a first liquid medium comprising water and (ii) the first solid food process waste dispersed in the first liquid medium,
• (b1) subjecting the first feed slurry to a temperature above 100° C. at a pressure sufficiently high to prevent boiling of the first liquid medium for a time sufficient to extract the first active compound from the first solid food process waste and into the first liquid medium,
• (c1) separating the first solid food process waste from the first liquid medium containing the first active compound, thereby forming (i) a first extract comprising the first liquid medium and the first active compound dissolved therein, and (ii) a first exhausted solid comprising remaining first solid food process waste after extraction;
• performing a second extraction method to extract the second solid food process waste, the second extraction method comprising:
• (a2) providing a second feed slurry comprising (i) a second liquid medium comprising water and (ii) the second solid food process waste dispersed in the second liquid medium,
• (b2) subjecting the second feed slurry to a temperature above 100° C. at a pressure sufficiently high to prevent boiling of the second liquid medium for a time sufficient to extract the second active compound from the second solid food process waste and into the second liquid medium,
• (c2) separating the second solid food process waste from the second liquid medium containing the second active compound, thereby forming (i) Op a second extract comprising the second liquid medium and the second active compound dissolved therein, and al {iv) a second exhausted solid comprising remaining second solid food process waste after extraction;
• and
• drying and encapsulating independently each of the first extract and the second extract, thereby forming (i) a first encapsulated powder comprising a first encapsulating matrix and the first active compound within and distributed throughout the first encapsulating matrix, and (ii) a second encapsulated powder comprising a second encapsulating matrix and the second active compound within and distributed throughout the second encapsulating matrix.

A method for extracting active compounds from a food process waste, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a feed slurry comprising (i) a liquid medium comprising water and ethanol and (ii) a solid food process waste dispersed in the liquid medium, wherein:
• the water is present in the liquid medium in an amount ranging from 30 wt. % to 70 wt. % relative to total liquid content of the liquid medium,
• the ethanol is present in the liquid medium in an amount ranging from 30 wt. % to 70 wt. % relative to total liquid content of the liquid medium,
• the solid food process waste comprises (A) cherry pits in powder form, and (B) an active compound selected from the group consisting of polyphenols, flavonoids, o-diphenols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and combinations thereof;
• (b) subjecting the feed slurry to a temperature in a range of 120° C. to 200° C. at a pressure sufficiently high to prevent boiling of the liquid medium for a time sufficient to extract the active compound from the solid food process waste and into the liquid medium;
• and
• (c) separating solid food process waste from the liquid medium containing the active compound, thereby forming an extract comprising the liquid medium and the active compound dissolved therein.