New Publication on Chicory By-Product Valorization by the Laboratory in Discover Plants

Abstract
The production of numerous products from the cultivation of the species Cichorium intybus, such as Belgian endives,
chicory drink, salads or inulin, gives rise to numerous byproducts which can represent up to 50% of the cultivated plant.
The byproducts are mainly generated in the form of leaves, roots or root pulp. Leaves as byproducts can be used as
livestock feed, or as a substrate for fermentation or methanization. They are as a source of phenolic compounds whose
content varies greatly depending on the varieties, cultivation or extraction conditions which must be taken into account
in the valorization of byproducts. The forced roots and root pulp, a source of inulin, sugars and sesquiterpene lactones
also constitute good food for animals but also provide numerous molecules to the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics
industries. The richness in inulin and sugars makes it an ideal candidate for biorefineries as well as for producing biobased
polymers by bacterial fermentation, or 5-HMF by chemical transformation for bioplastics, which are discussed in detail
here. This review details the many application areas that chicory byproducts offer in response to agriculture, green
chemistry and circular economy strategies in order to promote sustainable processes and to bring sustainability to an
agricultural sector in danger. link to the review