The objective of this work was to find the optimal conditions by thermosonication-assisted extraction (TSAE) of the total acetogenin content (TAC) and yield from A. muricata seeds, assessing the effect of the temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C), sonication amplitude (80, 90, and 100%), and pulse-cycle (0.5, 0.7, and 1 s). In addition, optimal TSAE conditions of acetogenins (ACGs) were compared with extraction by ultrasound at 25 °C and the soxhlet method measuring TAC and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, solubility and identification of isolated ACGs were performed. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of ACGs crude extract and isolated ACGs was evaluated. Optimal TSAE conditions to extract the highest TAC (35.89 mg/g) and yield (3.6%) were 50 °C, 100% amplitude, and 0.5 s pulse-cycle. TSAE was 2.17-fold and 15.60-fold more effective than ultrasound at 25 °C and the Soxhlet method to extract ACGs with antioxidant capacity. Isolated ACGs were mostly soluble in acetone and methanol. Seven ACGs were identified, and pseudoannonacin was the most abundant. The inhibition of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis was higher from isolated ACGs than crude extract. TSAE was effective to increase the yield in the ACGs extraction from A. muricata seeds and these ACGs have important antifungal activity.

Currently, several biological activities are attributed to the acetogenins (ACGs) of Annonaceae (including Annona muricata); among these is antimicrobial activity. The main focus of this experiment was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of the crude extract (CE) and purified acetogenins (P-ACGs) from the endosperm of A. muricata seeds using agar disk diffusion, lethality, sub-lethal, and potential damage membrane tests against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. According to the results, P-ACGs present the highest antibacterial effect (12.5–4000 µg/mL) against Enterococcus faecalis (11–15.67 mm), Listeria monocytogenes (12–18 mm), Aeromonas hydrophila (10.33–11.67 mm), Bulkholderia cenocepacia (11–12 mm), and Salmonella paratiphy (11–15.67 mm), and a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.009 to 12.50 µg/mL. Measurement of the membrane potential shows that, in the presence of P-ACGs, the number of viable cells is reduced, with a significant logarithmic reduction observed (0.38, 1.27, and 1.81 CFU/mL) and a significant sub-lethal lesion (57.78, 96.14, and 98.42%) in Escherichia coli, E. faecalis, and L. monocytogenes, respectively. According to this study, the results demonstrate that P-ACGs from A. muricata seeds are potent and effective antibacterial compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.

This work aimed to develop a nanosuspension (NSps) as an acetogenin (ACGs) carrier, using soy lecithin (SL) and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (βCD) named NSps-βCDSL-ACGs. It was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques (DLS, FTIR, UV-vis diffuse reflectance). Moreover, the NSps morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Also, the antibacterial activity of NSps-βCDSL-ACGs was evaluated against strains of interest in the poultry sector. NSps-βCDSL-ACGs presented nanometric size (207–239 nm), acceptable polydispersity index (PDI) values (0.13–0.17) and a high Z potential value (−47.17–50.36 mV), demonstrating high stability. The presence of ACGs in NSps-βCDSL-ACGs was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The nanoparticles had a spherical shape and exhibited high inhibition potential against Salmonella Enteritidis (88.18%), Streptococcus gallolyticus (88.01%), Salmonella Typhimurium (86.28%) and Salmonella Infantis (77.02%) strains up to 48 h, and a reduction of up to 3 log CFU/mL was achieved for S. Typhimurium. Therefore, NSps-βCDSL-ACGs is an attractive option for implementing ACGs administration in the poultry sector to reduce the use of antibiotics and minimize bacterial resistance.

Stenocereus fruits are appreciated for their flavor and color, and their cultivation is highly sustainable, as they grow in arid zones without the need for fertilizers or agrochemicals. However, their nutritional and bioactive composition remains underexplored. This study evaluated the physicochemical and nutritional properties, bioactive compound content, and antioxidant capacity (AOX) of Stenocereus thurberi (red, white, purple, and orange), Stenocereus martinezzi (red), and Stenocereus gummosus (red). All fruits exhibited low total soluble solids (12.6 ± 0.2–14.7 ± 0.3 °Brix), acidity (0.81 ± 0.03–1.12 ± 0.03%), and moderate dietary fiber content (3.71 ± 0.05–4.86 ± 0.09%). S. martinezzi stood out for its high levels of betalains (33.7 ± 0.65 mg/100 g_fw), vitamin E (84.7 ± 0.2 µg/100 g_fw), and vitamin C (147.6 ± 11.4 mg/100 g_fw). At the same time, potassium, magnesium, and calcium were the predominant minerals in all samples. S. gummosus showed the highest total soluble phenols (120.6 ± 2.2 mg/100 g_fw) and was also notable for its flavonoid content. Flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids were detected in all fruits. Red fruits had the highest AOX levels, followed by white, orange, and purple varieties. In conclusion, these fruits are nutritious, low in sugars, and rich in bioactive compounds, suggesting their potential as functional foods, particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic degenerative diseases.

This study assesses the stability, in vitro bioaccessibility and potential bioavailability, and in vivo genotoxicity and toxicity of polyethylene glycol–soy lecithin (PEGSL-ACG-NSps) or β-cyclodextrin–soy lecithin (βCDSL-ACG-NSps) nanosuspensions (NSps). Both formulations exhibited initial particle sizes below 130 nm and PDI values below 0.3. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, PEGSL-ACG-NSps preserved structural integrity, with only a moderate size increase (~239 nm) in the intestinal phase and controlled release of acetogenins (ACGs); in contrast, βCDSL-ACG-NSps destabilized considerably (size > 500 nm) and released ACGs rapidly. Consistently, βCDSL-ACG-NSps achieved higher in vitro bioaccessibility and a potential bioavailability (up to 95% from post-digestion recovery). In contrast, PEGSL-ACG-NSps displayed a more gradual release profile (up to 55%). In vivo toxicity tests in mice showed no significant genotoxic or cytotoxic effects for either formulation, even at high doses. These findings suggest that selecting appropriate food-grade stabilizing polymers is crucial for optimizing NSps for the oral delivery of ACGs as therapeutic agents.