The marine crustacean krill (order Euphausiacea) has not been a traditional food in the human diet. Public acceptance of krill for human consumption will depend partly on its nutritive value. The aim of this article is to assess the nutritive value and potential health benefits of krill, an abundant food source with high nutritional value and a variety of compounds relevant to human health. Krill is a rich source of high-quality protein, with the advantage over other animal proteins of being low in fat and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Antioxidant levels in krill are higher than in fish, suggesting benefits against oxidative damage. Finally, the waste generated by the processing of krill into edible products can be developed into value-added products.
Apple processing results in peel, stem, seeds, and pulp being left as a waste product known as apple pomace. This review comprehensively assessed apple pomace composition for nutritional value and bioactive substances and evaluated potential health benefits and safety. Apple pomace is a rich source of health-benefitting nutrients, including minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and ursolic acid, which suggests it has potential use as a dietary supplement, functional food, and/or food additive. Preclinical studies have found apple pomace and its isolated extracts improved lipid metabolism, antioxidant status, and gastrointestinal function and had a positive effect on metabolic disorders (eg, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, etc.). Safety studies have shown apple pomace to be a safe livestock feed additive and to have pesticide concentrations within safety thresholds established for human consumption. Commercial development of apple pomace for human consumption requires more research focusing on standardized methods of nutrient reporting, mechanistic studies, and human clinical trials.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.