The European wine industry is embracing sustainability through circular economy principles, particularly by valorizing by-products, such as grape stems. Grape stems are rich in phenolic compounds with recognized health benefits. This study investigates the bioactive potential of molecules extracted from a blend of grape stems (GS blend extract). The GS blend extract was chemically characterized in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), ortho-diphenol content (ODC), and flavonoid content (FC), with key compounds identified via HPLC-MS. The extract’s antioxidant capacity was assessed using ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH assays, while its anti-aging and depigmenting properties were evaluated through elastase and tyrosinase inhibition assays. Additionally, in vitro assays were conducted to assess its effects on skin cells, including morphology, metabolic activity, cell cycle, and cell migration. The GS blend extract was found to be rich in proanthocyanidins and exhibited notable antioxidant and depigmenting properties. In vitro assays demonstrated that the extract had no significant impact on cellular metabolic activity or cell morphology, although a reorganization of the cell monolayer was observed. Furthermore, deviations in cell migration and cell cycle regulation suggest that the GS blend extract may aid in scar formation management. Notably, the extract arrested fibroblasts in the Sub G0-G1 phase and inhibited HaCaT cell migration, supporting its potential application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations aimed at scar modulation and skin health.

The increasing world population means an increased demand for sustainable processes and products related to foods, particularly those with added health benefits. Plants can be an alternative source of nutritional and biofunctional ingredients. Cytisus plants are an underexploited bioresource, currently prevalent in the Mediterranean Basin and western Asia. This manuscript addresses the processing potential of Cytisus plants for the development of added-value products, including food formulations, food packaging, cosmetics, and therapeutic applications. Most research has reported that Cytisus spp. are a promising source of inexpensive bioactive polyphenol compounds. Cytisus flowers should be considered and exploited as raw materials for the development of new food ingredients (antioxidants, preservatives, additives, etc.), nutraceuticals, or even direct therapeutic agents (anticancer, antibacterial, etc.). In order to evaluate the socioeconomic effect of these underutilized plants, more research is needed to assess their valorization for therapeutic and dietary possibilities, as well as the economic impact.

Collagen, the most abundant structural protein in animals, is fundamental for tissue integrity and regeneration. Conventional mammalian sources face limitations related to sustainability, safety, and ethical concerns, underscoring the need for alternative biomaterials. Marine organisms, particularly jellyfish, offer a promising eco-friendly collagen source. In this study, collagen and collagen-derived peptides were extracted from the cnidarian Physalia physalis and biochemically characterized. Circular dichroism demonstrated partial loss of triple-helix structure, while SDS-PAGE revealed type I collagen related α-chains together with low-molecular-weight fragments. The hydrolyzed collagen fractions exhibited keratinocyte and fibroblast cytocompatibility and increased keratinocyte migration. Moreover, P. physalis-derived peptides modulated inflammatory cytokine release in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages reducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by 38% and increasing interleukin (IL)-10 by 29%. Based on these results, a stable bioactive serum formulation incorporating P. physalis collagen peptides was developed. Overall, this work demonstrates that bioactive peptides from P. physalis possess immunomodulatory and regenerative potential and represent a promising new marine resource for cosmetic applications.