- var_dump: documentation ( source)
- preg_replace: documentation ( source)
<?php
// INPUT: appl | pinea | orang frui | vege lates
// TARGET: +(appl* | pinea* | orang*) +(frui* | vege*) +(lates*)
$subject = 'appl | pinea | orang frui | vege lates';
// Add the "*" in place at end
$subject = preg_replace('/[a-z]+/i', '$0*', $subject);
// Group the terms adding brackets and + sign
$result = preg_replace('/(?:[^\s|]+\s*\|\s*)*(?:[^\s|]+)/i', '+($0)', $subject);
var_dump($result);