## 1 Introduction  
Cotton (_Gossypium_) is a globally cultivated annual non-edible crop. Its cultivation is expansive, covering an area that exceeds 80 countries globally and accounts for 2.3% of the world's arable land [1, 2]. Cotton is classified in the _Gossypium_ genus, which belongs to the _Malvacae_ family. It is distinguished into two main types, namely, the cultivated and the wild, which are divided into the species _G. hirsutum_, _G. herbaceum_, _G.arbadense_, and _G.arbetum_, comprising the four most common varieties that are cultivated worldwide [1, 3]. Cotton but forms the predominant part of the plant and is considered the most valuable since it is used for the development of many products, such as textiles, edible oils, and animal feedstuffs, while it is also useful for the pharmaceutical industries [1, 4, 5]. Cotton fiber constitutes the major product derived from the cultivation of the respective plant and is characterized as a valuable fiber source, initiating a growing global interest in the production of increased volumes of cotton. This endeavor generates vast amounts of by-products that are inadequately disposed of, burdening the nearby environment and posing a significant environmental threat. Legume crops belong to the _Fabaceae_ family, which includes the _Lathyrus_ species. They are widely known for their rich nutritional value since their seeds contain a plethora of nutrients, proteins, minerals, and vitamins [6]. The _Lathyrus_ genus includes 200 species and subspecies that are primarily cultivated in temperate regions [7]. Among them, various species, such as _Lathyrus clymenum_ (LC), are being utilized for human and animal nutrition, thus reaping their nutritional benefits [8]. LC is an annual plant that is mainly cultivated in the Mediterranean basin countries and more specifically in the Aegean islands of Santorini, Anafi, and Karpathos [9]. The predominant by-product of LC cultivation is the pericarp, which is composed of a complex mixture of polysaccharides such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Despite the fact that _Lathyrus clymenum_ pericarp (LCP) forms an energy source for ruminants, it is not considered a suitable option for exploitation as animal feed due to its inadequate nutritional profile [9; 10]. Cottonseed Cake (CSC) constitutes one of the most significant by-products that is generated during cottonseed's oil extraction in order to be harnessed in various applications, such as the production of biodiesel. CSC is highlighted for its rich nutritional profile and specifically for its crude protein content, which accounts the 34.3-48.9% of CSC [11]. Primarily, CSC was used in animal nutrition as a cheap feedstuff of high nutritional value. Soon, its wide utilization caused serious concerns for animal health because of the presence of a toxic compound called gossypol. In specific, the administration of CSC as a feedstuff with a high gossypol content led to various adverse effects in animals, including respiratory problems, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems, etc. [12]. Gossypol (C\({}_{30}\)H\({}_{30}\)O\({}_{8}\)) is a toxic compound that is classified into the phenols category. It is generated by the pigment glands that are located in many parts of the plant, such as stems, leaves, flower buds, and seeds. Gossypol displays the potential to act as a pest resistance agent for the respective plant and is simultaneously capable of exerting a toxic effect on vertebrates. Furthermore, pigment glands produce additional phenolic pigments, in lower concentrations as compared to gossypol, without provoking any important toxicological implications. Naturally, gossypol exists as two enantiomers, namely, (\(-\)) and (\(+\)) gossypol. Among them, because of its biological activity, the molecule of (\(-\))-gossypol is removed at a lower rate, justifying its enhanced toxic profile as compared to the respective (\(+\))-enantiomer [13; 14; 15; 16]. Within organisms, gossypol exists in two types: Free Gossypol (FG) and Bound Gossypol (BG), both forming Total Gossypol (TG).