Current Perspective for Harnessing the Bioactive Compounds from Fruit Waste and its Role as Antidepressant

Neuropsychiatric disorders affect the health, economy, and society of countries. Complex psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine disturbances can lead to mental disorders like depression. Traditional methods for treating mental disorders are done with pharmaceutical antidepressants. Between 10 and 60 percentages of waste or by-products, in liquid and solid form, are produced by the fruit processing industries. Waste material should be used in a way that maximizes benefits while minimizing financial loss and environmental risks. The potential effect of bioactive components from fruit wastes, such as banana peel and citrus peel, can be used to treat mental disorders, particularly depression. Bioactive compounds include amino acids, phytochemicals, essential oils, terpenoids, dietary fibers, and polysaccharides, providing health benefits and therapeutic value. With fewer adverse effects, they act on biological receptors connected to depression and cross the blood-brain barrier. They also come in multiple forms of administration, which sets them apart from conventional drugs. Compared to synthetic drugs, they are safe, have low toxicity, and are widely available. Through the valorisation of fruit wastes, such as banana peel and citrus peel, and the extraction of their bioactive compounds, an alternative approach can be employed to treat depression, leveraging their antidepressant properties and health benefits.