Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of Cellulose-Rich Extracts Obtained from Carob ( L.) Pulp for Preparation of Cellulose-Rich Gels.

The carob tree ( L.) is a defining species of the Mediterranean region, and its fruit, the carob pod, has seen a notable increase in economic interest in recent years, primarily due to the production of locust bean gum (E410), a widely used food additive derived from the seeds. The remainder of the fruit, the carob pulp, comprises 80-90% of the fruit's weight and is typically considered a by-product, with its primary application being in animal feed.