Decoding the Bioactive Potential of Blackcurrant Pomace Extract: Toward Biofunctional and Skin-Comfortable Polysaccharide-Based Textiles

This publication explores a circular approach to converting blackcurrant pomace, a side stream of juice processing, into added-value textile functionality. The researchers incorporated a water–ethanol pomace extract into multilayer chitosan–pectin coatings applied to cotton fabrics and compared structures containing four, eight and twelve bilayers. The resulting textiles combined strong antioxidant and antibacterial performance with adjustable coloration and improved moisture-management behaviour, while cytotoxicity tests indicated compatibility with skin-contact applications. By linking food-processing residues with polysaccharide-based textile finishing, the study demonstrates how an underused biomass source can support the development of biofunctional materials for medical, protective and high-comfort uses. The paper is based on work from ENFiber, COST Action CA24111.