|
London: More than a
half million tonnes of onion waste dumped every year in Europe
could be used as food supplements as they are rich in dietary
fibre and medicinal compounds, says a scientific study.
The waste includes the dry brown skin, the outer layers, roots and
stalks, as well as onions that are not big enough to be of
commercial use, or onions that are damaged.
"One solution could be to use onion waste as a natural source of
ingredients with high functional value," said Vanesa Benitez,
researcher in agricultural chemistry at the Autonomous University
of Madrid (Spain), who led the study.
Benitex and associates found that the brown skin could be used as
a functional ingredient high in dietary fibre and phenolic
compounds, such as quercetin and other flavonoids (having
medicinal properties). The two outer fleshy layers also contain
fibre and flavonoids.
"Eating fibre reduces the risk of suffering from cardiovascular
disease, gastrointestinal complaints, colon cancer, type-2
diabetes and obesity," added Benitex, reports the journal Plant
Foods for Human Nutrition.
Phenolic compounds, meanwhile, help to prevent coronary disease
and have anti-carcinogenic properties.
Sulphurous compounds in onions reduce the accumulation of
platelets, improving blood flow and cardiovascular health in
general. They also have a positive effect on antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory systems in mammals, the researchers said.
Benitez's research group worked with scientists from Britain's
Cranfield University to carry out lab tests to identify the
substances and possible uses of each part of the onion.
|
Comments
|
Quick links