Extraction, characterization, and application of tomato seed oil in the food industry: An updated review

Tomato seeds are the by-product of the tomato processing industry used to extract valuable compounds like tomato seed oil (TSO). The TSO is well known for its functional and health-promoting properties. Therefore, recent studies which focused on application of TSO became popular among food manufacturers. This review presents comprehensive methods of TSO extraction and its unique fatty acid profile. The characterization of TSO is briefly discussed, creating a better utilization for various diseases. This review also focused on the multiple application of TSO in the food industry, from dietary supplements to food packaging films, the demand for TSO in the market to improve economic value, and the importance of TSO in the food and medical industry. The TSO can be extensively applicable as a functional compound in the food and bakery industry as a covering material in tomato-based products like tomato sauce and slices. It also acts as a better antioxidant and has antimicrobial properties due to its essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid. The assessment of this article provides an overview of the importance of TSO in food application, from extraction techniques to dietary supplements and its potential for bioactive compounds.