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Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Shell as a Source of Polyphenols: Chemical Characterization and Biological
Carlos Barba-Ostria1,2, Arianna Mayorga-Ramos3, Johana Zúñiga-Miranda3
1Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud Quito, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito 170901, Ecuador.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Rambutan shells are a rich source of bioactive compounds, showing strong antioxidant, antimicrobial, and selective antitumoral effects with low toxicity. This agro-waste valorization offers potential for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Area of Science:
- Agro-industrial byproduct valorization
- Natural product chemistry
- Bioactive compound characterization
Background:
- Agro-industrial waste management presents challenges.
- Sustainable sourcing of bioactive compounds is in demand.
- Rambutan shell is an underutilized agricultural byproduct.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize rambutan shell for bioactive compounds.
- To evaluate the functional properties of rambutan shell extract.
- To assess the safety and potential applications of rambutan shell bioactives.
Main Methods:
- Spectrophotometric and HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis for phytochemical profiling.
- In vitro assays for antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antitumoral activities.
- Hemolytic assays for toxicity assessment.
Main Results:
- High content of ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivatives, phenolics, and anthocyanins.
- Potent antioxidant, broad-spectrum antimicrobial (incl. MDR strains), and antibiofilm activities.
- Selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells (HeLa) with a favorable safety profile (low hemolysis).
Conclusions:
- Rambutan shell is a valuable source of safe, multifunctional bioactive compounds.
- Potential for application in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
- Supports circular economy principles and sustainable development goals (SDG 3, SDG 9).
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