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Exploring the Bioactive Potential and Biocompatibility of Extracts from Agro-Industrial Residues for Cosmetic
Sandra M Gomes1,2, Filipa Campos3,4, M Cristina L Martins3,4,5
1LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Agro-industrial residues like chestnut shells and grape seeds are rich in antioxidants for cosmetics. Extracts showed strong antioxidant potential and were biocompatible, establishing safe application limits for consumer products.
Area of Science:
- Cosmetic Science
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Agro-industrial residues are abundant sources of bioactive compounds.
- Antioxidants from natural sources are increasingly sought for cosmetic applications.
- Valorization of waste streams offers sustainable solutions for ingredient sourcing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antioxidant potential of phenolic-rich extracts from various agro-industrial residues.
- To assess the biocompatibility of these extracts on human fibroblasts (HFF-1).
- To establish safe application limits for cosmetic formulations.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of phenolic compounds from chestnut shell (CS), grape seed (GS), kiwi peel (KP), onion peel (OP), and pomegranate peel (PP).
- Quantification of total phenolic content using gallic acid equivalents (GAE).
- Assessment of antioxidant activity and in vitro biocompatibility (cytotoxicity) on HFF-1 cells.
Main Results:
- Total phenolic content varied significantly, with CS showing the highest (343.9 mg GAE/g).
- CS, GS, OP, and PP extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant properties; KP showed moderate potential.
- Safe application limits were established: CS/GS (<500 mg/L), OP/PP (<1000 mg/L), and KP (<10,000 mg/L).
Conclusions:
- Agro-industrial residues possess significant bioactive potential for the cosmetic industry due to their antioxidant capacity.
- Biocompatibility testing is crucial for ensuring consumer safety, as extract composition and safety limits vary.
- This study provides the first established safe application limits for Soxhlet-extracted compounds from these residues.
