Peony seeds oil by-products: Chemistry and bioactivity

Peony seeds oil (PSO) is a high-end vegetable edible oil with good health care and edible value, and peony seeds shell (PSS) and peony seeds cake (PSC) are the two important by-products in the process of PSO production. The total mass of PSS and PSC accounts for more than 70% of peony seeds. The study on chemical and bioactivity of PSS and PSC plays a critical role in the healthy development of oil peony industry. PSS and PSC are rich in plant proteins, polysaccharides, monoterpene glycosides, oligostilbenes, flavonoids, sterols, phenolic acids and other active ingredients with various biological activities. The active ingredients in PSS and PSC can be used as raw material in food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the present article aims to summarize structures, extraction, bioactivities and application of the active ingredients from the by-products of PSO processing, provide a reference for the development and utilization of PSS and PSC, and construct a foundation for the healthy development of oil peony industry. It is reasonable to believe that with the deepening of research, more high value-added products will be studied, developed and utilized from the nutritional profiles of PSS and PSC.