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Sustainable Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Agricultural By-Products: Infectivity Inhibition Potential for Human
Joan Teichenné1, Yaiza Tobajas1, Kevin Leonard2
1Eurecat-Centre Tecnològic de Catalunya, Unitat de Nutrició i Salut, 43204 Reus, Spain.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 7, 2025
Summary
Agricultural by-product extracts, rich in polyphenols, show antiviral potential. Chicory leaf and red onion peel extracts effectively inhibited human coronavirus 229E replication in cell cultures.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Virology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Agricultural by-products are rich sources of bioactive compounds.
- Polyphenols possess known antiviral and antioxidant properties.
- Valorization of agricultural waste can lead to sustainable product development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiviral potential of polyphenol-rich extracts from agricultural by-products against human coronavirus 229E (HuCoV-229E).
- To identify specific agricultural by-products with significant antiviral activity for potential therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of polyphenols from red onion peels, vineyard prunings, olive prunings, and chicory leaves using subcritical water extraction and resin adsorption.
- Characterization of bioactive content, focusing on polyphenol levels.
- Antiviral assays assessing viral infectivity and replication inhibition in human MRC-5 host cells.
Main Results:
- Chicory leaf and red onion peel extracts demonstrated significant antiviral effects against HuCoV-229E, with effective concentrations (EC50) of 61.43 µg/mL and 10.1 µg/mL, respectively.
- Olive pruning extract showed moderate antiviral activity, while vineyard pruning extract exhibited limited efficacy.
- Three out of four extracts contained high polyphenol content (>200 mg/g).
Conclusions:
- Polyphenol-rich extracts from agricultural by-products, particularly chicory leaves and red onion peels, possess significant antiviral properties against HuCoV-229E.
- These findings highlight the potential of utilizing agricultural waste as a sustainable source for developing novel antiviral agents.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms of action and efficacy against other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
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