Effective Extraction and Separation Mechanism of Phenolic Acids Based Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction by Functionalized Ionic Liquids

Citrus peels are not just waste—they could be the secret to healthier fish and more sustainable aquaculture. But unlocking their power requires a clever extraction trick.

The aquaculture industry feeds the world, but it's struggling with rising costs, disease outbreaks, and environmental pressure. What if the solution was hiding in your fruit basket? Citrus by-products—peels, seeds, and pulp—are packed with bioactive compounds, yet they're often discarded. A more sustainable path lies in extracting these valuable molecules and turning them into functional aquafeeds.

Green extraction technologies, especially ultrasound-assisted extraction, are game-changers. They boost phenolic yields by more than 30% while slashing solvent use. That's a win for both the environment and the bottom line. When these citrus bioactives are added to fish diets, the results are impressive: lemon peel extracts helped Nile tilapia survival surpass 80%, and bitter orange essential oil improved growth and immune gene expression in common carp.

Still, there are gaps. Bioavailability, metabolic pathways, and species-specific responses remain murky. This review highlights the promise of citrus bioactives and points to where research must go next. The future of aquaculture may well be citrus-scented.

Key Points

• Ultrasound-assisted extraction boosts phenolic yields by >30%.
• Citrus bioactives improve fish growth and immunity.
• Lemon peel extracts raised Nile tilapia survival to >80%.