Effective transformation of rambutan residues into value-added chemicals and materials for multiple applications

Rambutan is a common tropical plant, and widely cultivated in Southeast Asia regions. Rambutan peel and seed are abundant residues of the fruit processing, have emerged as promising resources for various applications due to their rich chemical composition and bioactive properties. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of recent advancements in the utilization of rambutan peel and seed residues in environmental remediation, nanotechnology, and the food industries. The rambutan peel is rich in phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, corilagin, and geraniin, while the rambutan seed has high lipid and fatty acid contents. The rambutan fruit residues are effectively transformed into adsorbents and photocatalysts to remove dyes, heavy metals, pesticides and phenols in water. Moreover, bioactive compounds in these residues serve as reducing and capping agents during the biosynthesis of nanoparticles, showcasing great potential for antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer applications. Bio-polymers and biosensor synthesized from rambutan fruit residues have promise in biological and nanotechnology fields. These residues also play a vital role in energy storage and food products. This paper presents outlooks on the valorization of rambutan waste biomass to address environmental challenges and circular economy trends. • Rambutan peel and seed are abundant, renewable, bioactive compounds-rich byproducts. • Rambutan waste-derived adsorbents effectively remove various pollutants from water. • Bioactive compounds from rambutan waste showed promising biological activities. • Conversion of rambutan waste into energy, food products and nutrients is feasible.