Procyanidins are an important group of bioactive molecules known for their benefits to human health. These compounds are promising in the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as they prevent cell damage related to oxidative stress. It is necessary to study effective extraction methods for the recovery of these components. In this review, advances in the recovery of procyanidins from agro-industrial wastes are presented, which are obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction. Current trends focus on the extraction of procyanidins from seeds, peels, pomaces, leaves and bark in agro-industrial wastes, which are extracted by ultrasound. Some techniques have been coupled with environmentally friendly techniques. There are few studies focused on the extraction and evaluation of biological activities of procyanidins. The identification and quantification of these compounds are the result of the study of the polyphenolic profile of plant sources. Antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory activity are presented as the biological properties of greatest interest. Agro-industrial wastes can be an economical and easily accessible source for the extraction of procyanidins.

This article systematically reviews the advancements in processing litchi peel (Litchi chinensis), emphasizing drying, extraction, purification methods, and the potential of bioactive compounds obtained from litchi peel. This work also highlights the impact of various drying techniques on phytochemical profiles, focusing on how methods such as hot air and freeze-drying affect the preservation of bioactive compounds. The study delves into extraction methods, detailing how different solvents and techniques influence the efficiency of extracting bioactive compounds from litchi peel. Furthermore, the purification and characterization of active compounds, showcasing the role of chromatographic techniques in isolating specific bioactive molecules, is discussed. Biological properties and mechanisms of action, such as antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, and anticancer activities, are reviewed, providing insight into the potential health benefits of litchi peel compounds. This review highlights the importance of optimizing and selecting accurate drying and extraction methods to maximize the therapeutic effects of litchi peel and its bioactive compounds. This review also reveals the broad pharmacological potential of the isolated compounds, underscoring the need for further research to discover their specific actions and health benefits.

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that is used for the biological control of different agricultural pest insects. B. bassiana is traditionally cultivated in submerged fermentation and solid-state fermentation systems to obtain secondary metabolites with antifungal activity and infective spores. This work presents the design and characterization of a new laboratory-scale biofilm bioreactor for the simultaneous production of oosporein and aerial conidia by B. bassiana PQ2. The reactor was built with materials available in a conventional laboratory. K_La was determined at different air flows (1.5–2.5 L/min) by two different methods in the liquid phase and in the exhaust gases. The obtained values showed that an air flow of 2.5 L/min is sufficient to ensure adequate aeration to produce aerial conidia and secondary metabolites by B. bassiana. Under the conditions studied, a concentration of 183 mg oosporein per liter and 1.24 × 10⁹ spores per gram of support was obtained at 168 h of culture. These results indicate that the biofilm bioreactor represents a viable alternative for the production of products for biological control from B. bassiana.