Pulsed electric fields reshape anthocyanin and phenolic binding equilibria in processed fruit pomace

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) are commonly associated with membrane electroporation in intact plant tissues; however, their role in dried-milled-rehydrated fruit biomass remains unclear. This study investigated how different electric field strengths (1, 5, and 10 kV/cm) reshape anthocyanin and phenolic binding equilibria in jaboticaba ( Myrciaria jaboticaba ) pomace used as a fruit pomace model. A sequential aqueous-hydroethanolic-polysaccharide extraction workflow revealed intensity-dependent shifts in anthocyanin detectability and phenolic distribution without evidence of major spectral disruption or loss of antioxidant capacity. Hypochromic effects in the visible region, together with preserved UV–Vis profiles and stable FRAP and ABTS values, support an electric-field-driven rebalancing of noncovalent phenolic-phenolic and phenolic-matrix interactions rather than chemical degradation. Redistribution of compounds across fractions further indicates modulation of binding domains within the disrupted matrix. These findings position PEF as a controllable tool for reorganizing weak molecular interactions in fruit pomace, expanding its application beyond electroporation toward interaction-driven biorefinery strategies. • PEF modulated anthocyanin detectability in dried-rehydrated jaboticaba pomace. • Higher electric field strengths reduced apparent recovery without spectral shifts. • Antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid were preserved across treatments. • Phenolic redistribution enables selective recovery of natural colorants. • Results support electric-field-driven modulation of pigment-matrix binding.