Recovery and valorization of by-products of the agri-food chain with supercritical fluid technology

This doctoral research explores the use of supercritica! CO2 extraction as a sustainable strategy to valorize lemon peels, an important by-product ofthe agri-food industry, through the recovery ofhigh-value bioactive compounds. rfhe study shows that this technology can effectively obtain extracts rich in terpenes and other functional molecules of interest for cosmetic and persona) care appl ications. In vitro tests on human skin cell models confinned the biocompatibility of the extracts, supporting their potential use as safe ingredients in dermo-cosmetic formulations. IThe environrnental assessment further bighlights the sustainability of the process, lshowing its relevance within circular economy and green chemistry frameworks. Overall, the work demonstrates how an agro-industriai waste stream can be ltransformed into a valuable resource for innovative and sustainable applications.