Research Progress on Bioactive Components and Extraction Methods of Pear (Pyrus spp.)
Abstract
By-products generated throughout the entire pear (Pyrus spp.) industrial chain, including peels, branches, leaves, and unripe fruits, are abundant sources of high-value bioactive components. Current research indicates that bioactive compounds such as phenolics, triterpenoids, and arbutin exhibit significant "spatiotemporal heterogeneity", characterized by considerably higher concentrations in peels, branches, leaves, and unripe fruits compared to mature pulp. This distribution pattern underscores the superiority of these by-products as raw materials for extraction. Regarding extraction techniques, while traditional organic solvent extraction is well-established, its application is constrained by issues of solvent residues and environmental toxicity. A comparative analysis reveals that green, efficient extraction technologies offer a promising solution to overcome the limitations of traditional methods regarding mass transfer efficiency and solvent residues. These technologies represent a critical pathway for the valorization of pear processing by-products, provided that extraction strategies are flexibly selected based on the physical characteristics of the raw materials and the stability of the target components. Bioactive components from pears possess immense development potential in the fields of skin-whitening cosmetics and gut health-promoting foods. However, future research should prioritize multi-scale industrial validation, artificial intelligence-driven multi-objective process optimization, and the in-depth elucidation of synergistic interactions among components, aiming to advance the comprehensive, high-value utilization of pear resources.
