Reconnoitring the Usage of Agroindustrial Waste in Carotenoid Production for Food Fortification: a Sustainable Approach to Tackle Vitamin A Deficiency

Abstract

Recently vitamin A deficiency disorder (VADD) has become a significant public health issue. Manifestation of this VADD is xerophthalmia, which can only be prevented by additional vitamin A due to their less consumption in regular diet. Globally, approximately 120 million children are suffering from VADD. There is an abrupt upsurge in non-communicable diseases like obesity. Almost in every community and house, under-nutrition and obesity coexist. Worldwide 13% adult population were obese. Provitamin A carotenoids are able to lower the body weight, total cholesterol, and raising the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Worldwide, the massive quantity of food waste has become a prime concern because it harms natural resources, and health. Recycling of these waste materials can result in value added product generation like carotenoids. Various researches have shown the usage of different food wastes like tomato, carrot (pulp and peel), and sweet potato roots and microbes like Rhodotorula glutinis MT5, R. toruloides, and Sporobolomyces roseus as a substrate for provitamin A carotenoids. Concerning food safety, it is highly recommended to opt an eco-friendly green extraction methodology like UAE, MAE, eco-friendly-solvent extraction, etc. In this review, we aim to focus on utilizing “waste” as a source of carotenoids via green extraction technologies and also indicated the need for food fortification to resolve the overnutrition-related lifestyle disorder obesity, and the under-nutrition-related vitamin A deficiency disorder. This concept is believed to create more resilient, and productive food fortification emphasizing a “waste to wealth” bio-economy approach to combat vitamin A deficiency and obesity.