Aleksandra Adamkiewicz, Jan Matysiak, Anna Matysiak, Eliza Matuszewska, Martyna Pajewska-Szmyt, Magdalena Majcher, Małgorzata Smuga‑Kogut, Daria Szymanowska, Joanna Matysiak

Bioactive Compounds from Tomato Processing By-Products: Pharmaceutical Potential

 

2026-04-09

Bioactive Compounds from Tomato Processing By-Products: Pharmaceutical Potential

The processing of tomatoes generates a substantial quantity of by-products, predominantly skins and seeds, which are often regarded as waste, despite their considerable nutritional and functional value. These products represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds, which are important for human health. Such bioactive compounds include carotenoids, polyphenols, unsaturated fatty acids, and tocopherols. Nevertheless, their effective reuse in the food and nutrition, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries remains limited due to technological, safety, and regulatory challenges. The present article provides a comprehensive and integrated overview of tomato processing by-products from a nutritional and biotechnological perspective, addressing the technological issues of tomato waste utilization as well as microbiological safety. The chemical composition of tomato processing by-products is discussed, divided into peel and seeds, allowing for a comprehensive comparison of the nutrient content in individual waste fractions. The focus of this study was on the biological activity of the main bioactive components, with particular emphasis on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and health-promoting properties. Furthermore, the existing strategies for the recovery and utilization of these compounds were subjected to a critical evaluation, with particular consideration given to processing conditions, compound stability, and bioavailability for application in the pharmaceutical industry. A particular emphasis was placed on safety aspects that are of paramount importance for nutritional applications. These aspects include, but are not limited to, microbiological contamination caused by bacteria or fungi, the formation of mycotoxins, and the presence of pesticide residues. This review underscores the prospective value of tomato processing by-products as sustainable sources of health-promoting compounds and identifies pivotal challenges that must be addressed to facilitate their broader utilization in the pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords: Lycopene, Sustainable waste management, Bioactive compounds, Waste valorisation, Tomato processing waste, Dietary supplements with lycopene.

© Farm Pol, 2025, 81(8): 477–488