Commercial Viability of Cactus-Based Bioproducts in the Circular Green Economy

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In the sun-baked landscapes of Sicily, Italy, farmers have cultivated cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) for centuries. Known for its juicy fruit and drought-resistant properties, this plant is now at the center of a groundbreaking study published in Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry (2025).

Researchers Giuseppe Timpanaro and Vera Teresa Foti from the University of Catania reveal how discarded cactus pear waste—peels, seeds, and pulp—can be converted into lucrative bioproducts like seed oil, pectin, and bioactive compounds. These materials are in high demand across the cosmetics, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.

This study isn’t just about recycling—it’s a blueprint for building a circular economy in agriculture, a system where resources are reused and recycled to minimize waste and environmental harm. By 2023, Sicily produced 154,000 tons of cactus pears annually, with 10–15% (15,000+ tons) discarded as waste.

The Problem of Agricultural Waste

Every year, the world generates 1.3 billion tons of food waste, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource inefficiency. In Sicily, cactus pear waste has historically been a burden for farmers.

Non-marketable fruits—those too small, bruised, or imperfect—are left to rot or burned, releasing harmful CO₂ into the atmosphere. However, this so-called waste is far from worthless.

Hidden within these discarded parts are valuable compounds like pectin, a gelling agent used in jams and medicines; seed oil rich in linoleic acid, a prized ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics; betalains, antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties; and dietary fiber for functional foods and animal feed.

Pectin, for instance, is a natural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. It is widely used as a thickener in foods and pharmaceuticals. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is essential for skin health, helping to maintain moisture and elasticity.

Betalains are water-soluble pigments responsible for the vibrant colors in cactus pears and have been shown to reduce oxidative stress in the human body.

The study emphasizes that repurposing this waste aligns with global sustainability goals, including the UN’s Zero Hunger initiative (by reducing food loss) and Responsible Consumption targets (by promoting circular economies).

For Sicily, a region battling water scarcity and soil degradation, this approach offers a dual benefit: economic growth and environmental preservation.

Green Extraction Technologies

At the heart of this research is microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), a sustainable alternative to traditional methods like acid or solvent extraction. Unlike older techniques, MAE uses microwave energy to break down plant cells quickly and efficiently.

The process begins with collecting non-marketable cactus pears from farms and processing centers in Sicily’s Mount Etna region. These fruits are mechanically separated into peels, pulp, and seeds.

The waste is then treated using the Ethos X system, a specialized microwave extractor that ruptures plant cells to release bioactive compounds. Finally, the extracted materials are purified and packaged for commercial use.

One of the standout advantages of MAE is its speed. Traditional methods can take hours, but MAE completes the process in minutes. For example, processing 400 tons of waste yields 2,880 kg of pectin and 36,120 kg of bioactive extracts.

Additionally, MAE consumes 50% less energy than ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and avoids toxic solvents, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective.

The team also tested supercritical CO₂ extraction, a method that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to dissolve compounds, but found MAE more suitable for hydrophilic compounds like pectin.

Supercritical CO₂ extraction involves heating CO₂ to a state where it acts as both a gas and a liquid, allowing it to penetrate plant material and extract compounds without chemical residues. While effective for oils, it is less efficient for water-soluble substances like pectin.

Economic Potential of Cactus Pear Waste Conversion

A critical question for any new project is its profitability. To answer this, the researchers analyzed three production scales: 200, 300, and 400 tons of waste processed annually.

Smaller facilities required an initial investment of €309,000, while larger setups cost up to €420,000. However, scaling up significantly improved returns.

For instance, doubling production capacity from 200 to 400 tons reduced the payback period (the time needed to recover the initial investment) from 6.5 to 4 years and boosted the internal rate of return (IRR)—a measure of profitability—from 16.8% to 35.7%.

Operating costs included energy expenses (€72,860 annually for 400 tons), labor (€79,000 for four employees), and transportation.

Notably, raw materials were free—farmers donated non-marketable waste, covering only transport costs. Revenue streams came from selling functional juice (€2/kg), seed oil (€150/kg), pectin (€10/kg), and bioactive extracts (€3/kg). At full capacity, a 400-ton facility generated €521,280 annually, with functional juice and seed oil being the top earners.

Functional juice refers to beverages enriched with bioactive compounds like antioxidants or vitamins, catering to health-conscious consumers. Bioactive extracts are concentrated forms of beneficial plant compounds used in supplements, cosmetics, and medicines.

Challenges and Strategic Solutions

Despite its promise, the project faces hurdles. Seasonal availability is a major issue—cactus pears are harvested once a year, leaving facilities idle for months. To address this, researchers suggest processing other agro-waste, like citrus peels, during off-seasons.

Energy costs are another concern, as MAE consumes 0.5–1.2 kWh per kilogram of biomass. Transitioning to solar power could mitigate this, given Sicily’s 2,500+ annual sunlight hours.

Market competition also poses risks. Global suppliers on platforms like Alibaba sell cactus seed oil at €80–100/kg, undercutting Sicily’s €150/kg price. Emphasizing certifications like “Sicilian PDO” (Protected Designation of Origin) could justify premium pricing.

PDO is a legal framework in the EU that protects regional products, ensuring they are produced, processed, and prepared in a specific geographic area using traditional methods.

Regulatory uncertainty, particularly EU laws on food additives, adds complexity. Collaborating with policymakers to shape favorable regulations is crucial for long-term success.

Real-World Impact on Jobs and the Environment

Beyond profits, this initiative offers social and environmental benefits. A 400-ton facility could create 12–15 jobs in waste collection, machine operation, and quality control—critical for Sicily, where youth unemployment exceeds 30%.

Environmentally, diverting 15,000 tons of waste annually reduces methane emissions equivalent to removing 5,000 cars from roads. Leftover biomass can be composted to enrich soil or converted into biogas, a renewable energy source produced by breaking down organic matter.

Health innovations are another exciting outcome. Betalains from cactus peel show potential in managing diabetes by reducing oxidative stress.

Seed oil’s fatty acids improve skin elasticity by 40% in clinical trials, while pectin-based bioplastics degrade in six months, unlike conventional plastics that linger for centuries.

Bioplastics are materials derived from renewable sources like plants, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Expert Opinions and Market Potential

The study has garnered praise from industry leaders.

• Dr. Maria Gomez, a circular economy expert, notes, “This model could reduce Mediterranean agro-waste by 30% by 2030.”
• Giovanni Rossi, CEO of Natural Cosmetics Ltd, adds, “Sicilian cactus oil is a game-changer—it’s 99% pure, unlike diluted imports.”
• However, challenges remain. Agricultural economist Prof. Luca Bianchi cautions, “Scaling up requires addressing energy costs and securing year-round biomass.”

Policy Recommendations for Governments and Businesses

For governments, the study recommends subsidies covering 40% of green tech costs, tax breaks for bio-based products, and funding for R&D.

Businesses are urged to adopt vertical integration—a strategy where a company controls multiple stages of production—by partnering with farms, pursue organic certifications, and diversify into bioplastics or biofuels. These steps would enhance supply chain control, justify premium pricing, and hedge against market shifts.

Vertical integration reduces reliance on external suppliers, lowering costs and improving efficiency. Carbon-neutral labels, another recommendation, certify that a product’s carbon emissions are offset, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

Future Directions and Global Applications

While focused on Sicily, this model has global relevance. Mexico, the world’s largest cactus producer (300,000+ tons/year), could adopt MAE to valorize waste. In arid regions like Tunisia, cactus residues could supplement animal feed or biogas production.

Future research should explore using other agro-waste (e.g., mango peels, coffee husks) and integrating AI to optimize energy use. AI-driven systems could predict demand, adjust extraction parameters, and reduce energy waste.

Consumer education campaigns are also needed to boost demand for bio-based products. For example, explaining the benefits of betalain-rich supplements or pectin-based bioplastics could drive market growth.

Conclusion

This study transforms the humble cactus pear into a symbol of sustainable innovation. By converting 400 tons of waste annually, Sicilian farmers could earn €521,280 while reducing environmental harm. For policymakers, it’s proof that green investments yield returns.

For consumers, it offers healthier, eco-friendly alternatives. As the authors conclude, “The circular economy is no longer a theory. With cactus pear waste, we’re building a future where nothing is wasted, and everyone benefits.”