Agri-food residues have accumulated globally at unprecedented scales, generating environmental pressures and resource inefficiencies, a core problem addressed in this review, while simultaneously representing rich, underutilized reservoirs of health-promoting phytochemicals. This review synthesizes recent advances (2016–2025) in the green extraction, characterization, and biological validation of phytochemicals from plant-based residues, including polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, and dietary fibers from key sources such as grape pomace, citrus peels, coffee silverskin, pomegranate peel, cereal brans, and tropical fruit by-products. Emphasis is placed on sustainable extraction methods: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE), and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), which enable efficient recovery while minimizing environmental impact. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies demonstrate that residue-derived compounds exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic-regulating, and prebiotic effects, contributing to health in general and gut microbiota modulation. Integrating these bioactives into functional foods and nutraceuticals supports sustainable nutrition and circular bioeconomy goals by reducing food waste and promoting health-oriented valorization. Regulatory advances, including approvals from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ingredients such as olive phenolics, citrus flavanones, and coffee cascara, further illustrate increasing translational readiness. The convergence of green chemistry, biorefinery design, and nutritional science positions agri-food residues as pivotal resources for future health-promoting and environmentally responsible diets. Remaining challenges include scaling cost-effective green processes, harmonizing life cycle assessment protocols, expanding toxicological datasets, and conducting longer-term clinical trials to support safe and evidence-based commercialization.

Laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized via the formation of interlinking enzyme aggregates (CLEA). Its free and immobilized enzymes were characterized, and its efficiency was tested via the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solution. The resistances against thermal denaturation and pH variations were improved upon immobilization. Although the optimal pH of the enzyme was not modified by immobilization, the latter considerably increased its stability in the pH range of 2.0 to 8.0. The immobilized form was still 50% active after 6 months of storage, while the free form took 1 month to suffer a similar drop in activity. Both free and immobilized T. versicolor laccases were efficient in removing 200 µM BPA from aqueous solutions. The free laccase removed 79% and 92.9% of the compound during the first hour of reaction when 0.1 and 0.2 U were used, respectively. The immobilized form, on the other hand, removed 72% and 94.1% of 200 µM BPA during the first hour of reaction when 0.2 and 0.5 U were used, respectively. The immobilized enzyme allowed seven reuse cycles in the oxidation of ABTS and up to four cycles in the degradation of BPA. The results suggest that the laccase from T. versicolor may be useful in biological strategies aiming at degrading endocrine disruptors, such as BPA.

This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and a selected group of bioactivities of jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) pod residue. An aqueous extract (deionized water; AE) and a hydroethanolic extract (ethanol: deionized water, 70:30 v/v; ETOH) were obtained via maceration. Ten phenolic compounds were characterized via LC-DAD-ESI/MSn: seven procyanidins, two quercetin derivatives and one taxifolin derivative, with dimers and trimers of procyanidins being the main components of both extracts. Total phenolic compound levels of 2.42 ± 0.06 and 11 ± 1 mg/g were found in AE and ETOH, respectively; however, only seven compounds were identified in ETOH. The jatoba pod residue extracts showed notable antioxidant activities: ETOH had greater antioxidant potential in the OxHLIA and DPPH assays (IC₅₀ = 25.4 μg/mL and 0.71 μg/mL, respectively); however, EA demonstrated greater potential in the FRAP system (IC₅₀ = 2001.0 µM TE/mg). Only AE showed antiproliferative potential, being effective against cell lines of gastric (GI₅₀ = 35 ± 1 µg/mL) and breast (GI₅₀ = 89 ± 4 µg/mL) adenocarcinomas. Likewise, only AE showed modest anti-inflammatory potential (IC₅₀ = 225 ± 2 µg/mL) in mouse macrophages. Bacteriostatic effects against bacteria were exerted by both extracts. Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes (MICs = 2.5 mg/mL) were especially sensitive to the ETOH extract. Taken together, the results suggest potential for jatoba pod residue as a source of molecules with biological activities and with possible industrial applications.

The immobilization of a laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus UEM-20 via the formation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) was optimized through a central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Both free and immobilized enzymes were investigated for their physico-chemical characteristics, and their adequacy in removing bisphenol A (BPA) and decolorizing malachite green dye in solution was evaluated. The immobilization caused only minor differences in thermostability. Upon immobilization, the enzyme experienced some changes in its kinetic properties. The V_max decreased by a factor of 1.1, and the K_M increased by a factor of 1.89. These kinetic changes did not modify in any remarkable way the capacity of the immobilized enzyme in degrading BPA and decolorizing malachite green dye. Its sensitivity to NaCl was also minimally affected by immobilization. However, its sensitivity to sodium sulfate was substantially decreased. After 1 month’s conservation, the activity of the free form had suffered a drastic drop. The immobilized form, by contrast, remained 100% active after 6 months. All these findings predict that the immobilized laccase from P. sanguineus UEM-20 may be useful in the enzymatic bioremediation of pollutants such as endocrine disruptors and synthetic dyes.

Iron is a fundamental microelement for human life; however, deficiencies or excesses of these metal ions can cause severe complications and mortality. Chelators are compounds that bind and inhibit iron. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometric methods are key analytical tools in the identification of chemical entities, with the benefits of having good precision and accuracy, and the equipment being easily available as well as quick and simple to implement. In this study, we aimed to provide an alternative, cheaper method for the quantification of iron ion chelation by substituting ferrozine for gallic acid and validating its use with UV-vis according to official ANVISA and ICH guidelines. The parameters assessed were specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and finally, the percentage of iron ions chelating was calculated. The results demonstrated that this method was accurate, simple, specific, selective, precise, and reproducible, and was successfully validated for the determination of iron ions chelating. The percentage of iron ions chelating, promoted by the standard chelator EDTA, was 45% and 47% for Fe2+ and Fe3+, respectively. It is concluded that this new method is beneficial in terms of its simplicity, rapidness, low cost, and the fact that it produces very low levels of dangerous residues.

Although Aspidosperma subincanum Mart. is traditionally used for metabolic and digestive disorders, its volatile nonpolar fraction remains unexplored. This study investigated n-hexane extracts from leaves (HE-GL) and stem bark (HE-GS), targeting antibacterial and enzyme-inhibitory activities based on ethnopharmacological use. GC-MS analysis revealed β-caryophyllene and aromadendrene as major constituents. HE-GL showed strong activity against Xanthomonas citri (MIC/MBC = 50 µg/mL), while HE-GS showed moderate effects (200 µg/mL). Both extracts exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀ ≈ 80 µg/mL) and weak α-amylase and elastase inhibition (IC₅₀ ≥ 500 µg/mL). Cytotoxicity assays in human tumour (HeLa, MCF-7, U-251MG) and non-tumour (GM07492A) cell lines showed no effects up to 250 µg/mL. Molecular docking supported interactions with acetylcholinesterase and bacterial targets. These findings highlight the antibacterial and cholinesterase-modulating potential of A. subincanum volatiles.