Non-wood agro-residues can reduce the environmental and cost burdens of papermaking, yet process alkalinity often drives impacts. Pineapple crowns were valorized as fiber feedstock and evaluated partial substitution of NaOH with NaHCO3 during processing, using NaOH-NaHCO3 ratios of 1:0, 3:1, and 1:1 (P100:0, P75:25, P50:50). Physical (grammage, thickness, porosity, burst, pH, water uptake) and instrumental characterizations, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were coupled with cradle-to-gate life-cycle (CF: carbon footprint; WF: water footprint) and unit-cost analyses. P75:25 achieved the highest grammage (71.86 + 0.49 g/ m2) and balanced network consolidation, while P100:0 maximized burst (19.53 + 0.91 psi); P50:50 increased porosity and moisture uptake. TGA/DTGA indicated effective polysaccharide/lignin breakdown for P100:0 and P75:25, with elevated high-temperature residue in P50:50, aligning with SEM-resolved fiber compaction. Envi-ronmental results decreased monotonically with sodium-bicarbonate substitution: total CF = 0.25, 0.22 (-12 %), and 0.19 kg CO2-eq for P100:0, P75:25, and P50:50. WF per sheet was 6.56, 3.72, and 3.28 L for P100:0, P75:25, and P50:50, respectively. Despite lab-scale costs (approximate to 4.0 USD/sheet), sensitivity indicates reagent price and electricity as main levers. Overall, P75:25 offers the best performance-to-impact trade-off preserving mechanical integrity while lowering CF and WF vs P100:0 supporting pineapple-crown papers as credible candidates for lightweight pack-aging and printing.
Cocoa pod diseases represent a major constraint to cacao sustainability, affecting yield, fruit integrity, fermentation efficiency, quality and food safety. Black pod rot caused by Phytophthora spp. and frosty pod rot caused by Moniliophthora roreri remain the most significant worldwide. This review synthesizes studies on endophytic fungi associated with Theobroma cacao and their potential as biological control agents, with emphasis on cocoa quality, fermentation dynamics, and postharvest safety. Evidence is integrated on endophyte diversity, ecological interactions, antagonistic mechanisms, relationships between pod sanitary status and fermentation performance, and mycotoxin risks. Species of Trichoderma, Clonostachys, and related genera exhibit complementary biocontrol modes, including competition, antibiosis, mycoparasitism, and induction of host defenses. Although field studies demonstrate reduced disease incidence, direct effects on fermentation kinetics, sensory attributes, and cocoa safety remain poorly characterized. Critical research gaps highlight the need for integrated pre- and postharvest frameworks to support responsible implementation of endophytic biocontrol strategies.
Controlling phytopathogenic fungi is essential for maintaining food safety and reducing postharvest losses. However, the extensive use of antifungal agents such as Imazalil has promoted the emergence of resistant strains, creating new challenges for agricultural systems. This study presents a proof-of-concept application of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing to identify antifungal-resistant fungal isolates from banana epicarp. The most resistant isolate, identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides, was able to grow at concentrations up to 300 ppm of Imazalil, suggesting a possible adaptive response. Transcriptomic analysis revealed expression of ENO1 and ENO2, genes linked to metabolic activity and general stress responses, though not directly associated with antifungal resistance. Due to limited sequencing depth, RNA quality constraints, and reduced analytical resolution, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, the results demonstrate the exploratory potential of ONT-based sequencing for preliminary molecular assessments in agricultural fungal pathogens and underscore the need for more comprehensive studies.
Sunfo volatile compounds (VC) were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The influence of temperature (40-60) degrees C, particle size (0.35-1) mm, flowrate (10-20) g/min and pressure (10-60) MPa on the yield was investigated. Composition, yield, antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenolic content (TPC) were compared with ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE), hydrodistillation (HD) and Soxhlet (SX). Extraction yields and major compounds obtained were: HD: 23.7 mg/g, thymol; SX: 244 mg/g, caryophyllene; 3 '-hydroxyb-naphtoflavone; UAE: 227 mg/g, carvacrol, (z)-3-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-2-phenylacrylic acid; SFE: 38.50 mg/g, thymol, carvacrol, (+-)-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid, 5-hydroxyflavone and icarrin. SX presented better AA (IC 50-DPPH =19.60 mg/mL) followed by UAE (IC50- DPPH =48.13 mg/mL) and HD better TPC (184.07 mg GAE/g). Antifungal activity against Colletotrichum musae, Mucor racemosus and Fusarium verticillioides was assessed, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was obtained. VC obtained had the most active antifungal activity against fungus (MIC: (400, 400, 825) mg/L).
The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest includes little-known cocoa species, which are essential resources for local communities. This study evaluated the bioactive compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of seeds and mucilage of four non-traditional cocoa species (Theobroma subincanum, T. speciosum, T. bicolor and Herrania nitida). Physico-chemical properties, minerals, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, and carotenoids were analysed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. The antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS and DPPH, along with the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus mutans, as well as Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. T. subincanum seeds scored high in titratable acidity, magnesium, sodium, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and quercetin. In contrast, the mucilage scored high in calcium, m-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, quercetin glycoside, and antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans. T. speciosum mucilage excelled in malic acid, tartaric acid, naringenin, and antioxidant capacity. T. bicolor seeds excelled in lutein and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and mucilage in iron, potassium, vitamin C, citric acid, gallic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and antioxidant capacity by ABTS. The mucilage of H. nitida has a high soluble solids content. These results highlight the potential of these species as sustainable sources of functional compounds and nutraceuticals.
Edible flowers have been used since ancient times, but their potential for improving human health has not been explored. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of bioactive compounds (organic acids, phenolics, and carotenoids) and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of nine flower varieties with high concentrations of carotenoids or total phenolic compounds. Ninety-three edible flowers were analysed for physicochemical characteristics, total phenolic and carotenoid concentrations, and antioxidant activity (ABTS). Bioactive profiles were determined by rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC), and antimicrobial activity was determined against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Chrysanthemum x hybrid orange, Helianthus annuus yellow, Tagetes patula orange, Canna indica red, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (orange1 and yellow) showed significant concentrations of total carotenoids. In contrast, Pelargonium hortorum orange2, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis red1, and Rosa x hybrid variety medium yellow showed high levels of total phenolics. The predominant compounds in these species were citric acid (991.4 mg/g DW in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis red1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (936.2 mg/100 g DW in P. hortorum orange2), kaempferol (971. 9 mg/100 g DW in T. patula orange), quercetin glucoside (958.8 in C. x hybrid), quercetin (919.3 mg/100 g DW in T. patula), α-carotene, and β-carotene in T. patula orange (989.5 and 601.2 mg/100 g DW, respectively). Regarding antimicrobial activity, T. patula orange and P. hortorum orange2 inhibited bacterial growth, while C. x hybrid orange and P. hortorum orange2 inhibited Candida albicans, and the latter inhibited Candida tropicalis. These results indicate the potential of edible flowers as a natural source of bioactive compounds and as a tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
The Amazon region is home to many plant species, many of which have not been studied. The objective was to evaluate the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of Phytelephas tenuicalis (tintiuk), Grias neuberthii (apai), Euterpe oleracea (acai), and Mauritia flexuosa (brown moriche). Physicochemical analyses were carried out on fresh fruit from local markets. Bioactive compounds (carotenoids, phenolics, vitamin C, and organic acids) were quantified in the freeze-dried pulp by rapid-resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC), and antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS and DPPH assays. The results showed high soluble solids (10.7 °Brix) and ascorbic acid (67.3 mg/100 g DW) in tintiuk; β-carotene (63.4 mg/100 g DW) and malic acid (19.6 g/100 g DW) in brown moriche; quercetin (944.2 mg/100 g DW) and antioxidant activity by ABTS (6.7 mmol ET/100 g DW) in apai; and citric acid (2.1 g/100 g DW) in acai. These results indicate interesting bioactive properties that could increase the consumption of these fruits nationally and internationally, benefiting local farmers and stimulating the development of new products in functional food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Inulin is a carbohydrate that belongs to fructans; due to its health benefits, it is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this research, cabuya (Agave americana) was employed to obtain inulin by pulsed electric field-assisted extraction (PEFAE) and FTIR analysis confirmed its presence. The influence of PEFAE operating parameters, namely, electric field strength (1, 3 and 5 kV/cm), pulse duration (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 ms), number of pulses (10,000, 20,000 and 40,000) and work cycle (20, 50 and 80%) on the permeabilization index and energy expenditure were tested. Also, once the operating conditions for PEFAE were set, the temperature for conventional extraction (CE) and PEFAE were defined by comparing extraction kinetics. The cabuya meristem slices were exposed to PEFAE to obtain extracts that were quantified, purified and concentrated. The inulin was isolated by fractional precipitation with ethanol to be characterized. The highest permeabilization index and the lowest energy consumption were reached at 5 kV/cm, 0.5 ms, 10,000 pulses and 20%. The same extraction yield and approximately the same amount of inulin were obtained by PEFAE at 60 °C compared to CE at 80 °C. Despite, the lower amount of inulin obtained by PEFAE in comparison to CE, its quality was better because it is mainly constituted of inulin of high average polymerization degree with more than 38 fructose units. In addition, TGA analyses showed that inulin obtained by PEFAE has a lower thermal degradation rate than the obtained by CE and to the standard.
Environment and lifestyle can affect the epigenome passed down from generation to generation. A mother’s nutrition can impact the methylation levels of her offspring’s epigenome, but it’s unclear which genes may be affected by malnutrition during gestation or early development. In this study, we examined the levels of methylated GC in the promoter region of HLA-C in mothers and infants from the Kichwa community in Ecuador. To do this, we analyzed saliva samples using bisulfite DNA sequencing. While we did not observe any significant differences in the mean methylation percentages in exon 1 of HLA-C between mothers and their infants after the first two years of lactation and life, respectively, we did find that infants tended to increase their methylation level during the first two years of life, while mothers tended to decrease it after the first two years of breastfeeding. When we compared methylation levels between mothers and infants using an ANOVA/posthoc Tukey test, we found that the average methylation for the entire population was less than 3% at T1 and T2. Although there was a tendency for infants to have higher methylation levels during their first two years of life and for mothers to have lower methylation levels after the first two years of breastfeeding, the mean values were not significantly different. However, we found a significant difference when we contrasted the data using a Kruskal-Wallis test at 0.05 for T1 AND T2 (p-value: 0.0148). Specifically, mothers had an average of X̅ = 2.06% and sons had X̅ = 1.57% at T2 (p-value: 0.7227), while the average for mothers was X̅ = 1.83% and for sons X̅ =1.77%. Finally, we identified three CpG motif nucleotide positions (32–33, 43–44, and 96–97) along the 122 bp analysis of HLA-C exon one, which was found to retain methylation patterns over time and is inherited from mother to offspring. Finally, our small pilot study did not reveal significant correlations between maternal and offspring nutritional status and DNA methylation levels of HLA-C exon one.
This study evaluated tropical flower petals’ bioactive compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The physicochemical characteristics, carotenoids, phenolics, anthocyanins, organic acids, and antioxidant activity of 67 flowers were analyzed. In addition, the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis of 35 species was determined. A 2 × 3 experimental design was used for the extraction of carotenoids and phenolics, including solvents and ultrasonic agitation times. The mixture of methanol–acetone–dichloromethane (1:1:2) and acetone–methanol (2:1) resulted in the highest concentration of carotenoids, while acidified 80% methanol favoured phenolic extraction. Renealmia alpinia was extremely rich in carotenoids (292.5 mg β-carotene/g DW), Pleroma heteromallum in anthocyanins (7.35 mg C-3-gl/g DW), while a high content of citric acid was found in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (17,819 mg/100 g DW). On the other hand, Thibaudia floribunda showed the highest antioxidant activity (7.8 mmol Trolox equivalent/g DW). The main phenolics were m-coumaric acid in Acalypha poiretii (12,044 mg/100 g DW), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in Brugmansia arborea (10,729 mg/100 g DW), and kaempferol in Dahlia pinnata (8236 mg/100 g DW). The extract of Acalypha poiretii, Brownea macrophylla, and Cavendishia nobilis showed antibacterial activity, while the extract of Pleroma heteromallum was the only one active against Candida albicans. These findings highlight the potential health benefits from certain tropical flowers.
The utilization of agroindustrial residues, such as avocado peel, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties has garnered significant attention. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant potential using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) methods, along with the antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds extracted from Hass avocado peel. These soluble polyphenols were quantified and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The research focused on their effects against three fungal pathogens, Verticillium theobromae, Colletotrichum musae, and Aspergillus niger, which significantly impact banana crops, an essential agricultural commodity in Ecuador. The results have revealed that the application of 80% ethanol as an organic solvent led to increased soluble polyphenol content compared to 96% ethanol. Extraction time significantly influenced the phenolic content, with the highest values obtained at 90 min. Interestingly, despite substantial mycelial growth observed across all extract concentrations, the antifungal effect varied among the pathogens. Specifically, V. theobromae exhibited the highest sensitivity, while C. musae and A. niger were less affected. These results underscore the importance of considering both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties when evaluating natural extracts for potential applications in plant disease management.
Cocoa liquor is the primary precursor of the worldwide highly appreciated commodity chocolate. Its quality depends on several factors, such as the type of cocoa, the fermentation process, and the control of the contaminants in the fermented beans. This study aims to evaluate whether the induced magnetic field treatment during the fermentation process or the pathogen reduction with gamma irradiation after the fermentation affect the characteristics of the cocoa liquor obtained from Ecuadorian cocoa beans. For this purpose, liquor samples from controls (standard process), from beans treated with an induced magnetic field up to 80 mT, and from beans irradiated with nominal doses up to 3 kGy were characterized through Raman spectroscopic analysis and sensorial evaluation. The most relevant bands of the cocoa liquor were assigned according to reports from the literature, spectroscopic data, and chemometrics. The spectra corresponding to different treatments and doses were visually very similar, but they could be discriminated using OPLS-DA models, where the most intense Raman signals were attributed to the lipid components. The sensorial evaluation rated the presence of floral, fruity, almondy, acid, and bitter flavors, along with astringency and intense aroma, and these attributes exhibited variable behavior depending on the dose of the irradiation or magnetic treatment. Therefore, both treatments may exert an influence on cocoa beans and, therefore, on the cocoa liquor quality.
Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) is susceptible to nematode attack; for this reason, grafting is used as an alternative to reduce this impact. In this study, the bioactive compounds of the fruit (shell, pulp, and seed jelly) of two tree tomato ecotypes (‘giant orange’ and ‘giant purple’) were evaluated in both control and grafted plants grown at different altitudes (2010–2250, 2260–2500, 2510–2750 and 2760–3000 masl). Commercial quality, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were determined by microextraction and quantified by liquid chromatography (RRLC) or spectrophotometry (microplate reader). The results showed high concentrations of vitamin C, organic acids and antioxidant activity in the seed jelly, organic acids in the pulp and phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity in the shell. The main phenolics were ferulic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin, while the main carotenoids were lutein, B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene. Multivariate analysis showed that tree tomato quality was mainly influenced by altitude and fruit part and that grafting positively affected soluble solids for both ecotypes and all altitudes.
Less common tropical fruits have been the subject of little research, leaving a vast field to be explored. In this context, a comprehensive study was carried out on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of 51 non-traditional fruits consumed in Ecuador. Vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were evaluated using microextraction and rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) techniques, while antioxidant activity was measured using microplate readings. The results showed high levels of vitamin C (768.2 mg/100 g DW) in Dovyalis hebecarpa, total organic acids (37.2 g/100 g DW) in Passiflora tripartita, carotenoids (487.0 mg/100 g DW) in Momordica charantia, phenolic compounds (535.4 mg/g DW) in Nephelium lappaceum, Pourouma cecropiifolia (161.4 µmol TE/g DW) and Morus alba (80.5 µmol AAE/g DW) in antioxidant activity. Effective extraction of carotenoids was also observed using a mixture of methanol: acetone: dichloromethane (1:1:2) with an extraction time of 2 min, while an 80% solution of 0.1% acidified methanol with hydrochloric acid with an extraction time of 3 min was highly effective for phenolics in fruit. These results provide a valuable basis for optimising future extraction processes of bioactive compounds from non-traditional fruits, with significant implications for their potential use in various nutritional and pharmaceutical contexts.
HLA-C, a gene located within the major histocompatibility complex, has emerged as a prominent target in biomedical research due to its involvement in various diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders; even though its recent addition to the MHC, the interaction between HLA-C and KIR is crucial for immune responses, particularly in viral infections. This review provides an overview of the structure, origin, function, and pathological implications of HLA-C in the major histocompatibility complex. In the last decade, we systematically reviewed original publications from Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Our findings reveal that genetic variations in HLA-C can determine susceptibility or resistance to certain diseases. However, the first four exons of HLA-C are particularly susceptible to epigenetic modifications, which can lead to gene silencing and alterations in immune function. These alterations can manifest in diseases such as alopecia areata and psoriasis and can also impact susceptibility to cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatments. By comprehending the intricate interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate HLA-C expression, researchers may develop novel strategies for preventing and treating diseases associated with HLA-C dysregulation.
Ecuador is a megadiverse country with a wide variety of floral species that have been little studied. In this context, the study's objective was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and the antioxidant activity of several floral species of paramo of Pichincha Province in Ecuador. Thus, the weight, size, color, pH, soluble solids, moisture and ash of fresh flower was quantified. In addition, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were quantified in lyophilized powder. The results obtained showed that the flowers of Werneria nubigena were the longest (43,80 cm); Brugmansia x candida the widest (9,88cm) and heaviest (9,22g); Tristerix longebracteatus presented high soluble solids content (21,5 °Brix), Lupinus microphyllus high pH (14,00), Ceanothus maritimus high titratable acidity (0,26%), Castilleja integrifolia high ash content (6,42%) and Bidens ferulifolia high moisture content (95,73%). In addition, the highest ranges of total carotenoids and total phenolics were presented by yellow Bidens ferulifolia (24,81 µg β-carotene/g PS) and Fuchsia vulcania (531,77 mg EAG /g PS), respectively. Finally, it was found in Bomarea multiflora high values of antioxidant capacity (182,08 trolox eq. µmol/ g PS). These results suggest that the paramo flowers contain essential bioactive compounds that could be used for food, medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Keywords: Bioactive compounds, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, Andean flowers
The global trade of tropical fruits is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. In 2018, the production was approximately 100 million tones, an increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization, every year one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted. More specifically, around 45% of the fruits, constituted mainly by peels, seeds, and pulps after juice extraction, are discarded mainly in the agricultural and processing steps. Therefore, decreasing and/or using these byproducts, which are often rich in bioactive components, have become an important focus for both the scientific community and the fruit processing industry. In this line, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology is expected to play a significant role in the valorization of these byproducts. This review presents the concepts of a tropical fruit biorefinery using supercritical CO2 extraction and the potential applications of the isolated fractions. There is a specific focus on the extraction of bioactive compounds, that is, carotenoids and phenolics, but also oils and other valuable molecules. Moreover, the techno-economic and environmental performance is assessed. Overall, the biorefinery of tropical fruits via SFE provides new opportunities for development of food and pharmaceutical products with improved economic and environmental performance.
The potential of supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) for the extraction of bioactive compounds from mango by-products was assessed. Carotenoid extraction was optimized using a design of experiments based on temperature (35, 55 and 70 °C), pressure (10 and 35 MPa) and co-solvent addition (0%, 10% and 20% of ethanol or acetone). Moreover, the co-extraction of phenolic acids, flavonoids and xanthonoids was evaluated in a subset of parameters. Finally, a comparison was made between SC-CO2 and a two-step organic solvent extraction of the bioactive compounds from the pulp and peel fractions of two Ecuadorian varieties. The optimal extraction temperature was found to be dependent on the bioactive type, with phenolics requiring higher temperature than carotenoids. The optimal overall conditions, focused on maximal carotenoids recovery, were found to be 55 °C, 35 MPa and 20% of ethanol. The main carotenoid was β-carotene, while phenolics differed among the varieties. The bioactive content of the peel was up to 4.1-fold higher than in the pulp fraction. Higher antioxidant activity was found in the extracts obtained with organic solvents. SC-CO2 is a promising technology for the isolation of valuable compounds from mango by-products.
Flowers are used for ornamental purposes and to enhance the appearance, taste, and value of foods. Ecuador is a country with great biodiversity including flowers. There is limited information on the physicochemical characteristics of these plants, particularly those related with human health. In this context, thirteen floral species in the Andean region of the Province of Pichincha, Ecuador were characterized. The following parameters were evaluated: pH, soluble solids, ash, moisture, and color; the content of carotenoids and total phenolic compounds by spectrophotometry; and the antioxidant capacity, which was determined by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrated that the Cassia fistula and Tecoma stans flowers had high pH; Pyrostegia venusta showed high soluble solids content; Tecoma stans had high total titratable acidity; Abutilon pictum had high ash; Gazaniax hybrida had high moisture. The highest contents of total carotenoids and total phenolics were presented by Gazania x hybrida (69.28 ug/g) and Glaucium flavum (355.46 mg eq. Gallic acid/g), respectively. The highest values of antioxidant capacity were presented by Oxalis tetraphylla and Glaucium flavum (166.90 and 164.00 µMeq trolox/g, respectively). These results indicated that Andean floral species could have potential beneficial properties that can be applied for human health.
Tropical fruits represent one of the most important crops in the world. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at 84 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value-added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio-economy perspective. Given the ever-increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio-refinery approach, that is, zero waste concept, as well as the use of green techniques is therefore of utmost importance. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts within a bio-refinery frame, via the application of traditional methodologies, and with specific attention to the extraction of phenolics and carotenoids as bioactive compounds. The different types of byproducts, and their content of bioactives is reviewed, with a special emphasis on the lesser-known tropical fruits. Moreover, the bioactivity of the different types of extracts and their possible application as a resource for different sectors (food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences) is discussed. Consequently, this review presents the concepts of tropical fruit biorefineries, and the potential applications of the isolated fractions.