Cocoa liquor, butter, and powder represent derived products from a small portion of the fruits, compared with the cocoa pod husk (CPH) which accounts for ∼ 70 % of fresh weight. CPH, improperly disposed in plantations, can cause diseases threatening worldwide chocolate production. However, this biomass can be a potential source of bioactive compounds aligned with the circular economy. An overview on the different methods for extracting pectin, resulting in variable extraction yields with a critical discussion on the obtained physicochemical characteristics, is presented. Additionally, the potential applications of the extracted pectin for food and biomedical application are discussed, including thickener, stabilizer, excipient, drug‐release modifier, macrophage activator, etc. Despite these potential outputs, new extraction methods need to be considered for improving efficiency and sustainability. Finally, potential approaches are introduced that can help to minimize the environmental impact, making the extraction cost‐ and time‐efficient, and, therefore, more ssustainable for a further successful translation to industry.

Biomass resulting from food production represents valuable material to recover different biomolecules. In our study, we used apple pomace to obtain pectin, which is traditionally extracted using mineral acids. Our hypothesis consisted of carrying out extractions with organic acids, assisted by ultrasound, by varying processing parameters including time, temperature, and type of acid. The analytical determinations of galacturonic acid content, methoxylation and esterification degree, ζ-potential and extraction yield were used as pectin quality indicators. Pectins extracted using treatment conditions with better performance were assessed biologically in vitro for their potential to be used in biomedical applications. Overall, the extracted pectin presented a galacturonic acid content, methoxylation and esterification degree ranged from 19.7 to 67%, 26.8–41.4% and 58–65.2% respectively, and were negatively charged (−24.1 to −13.2 mV). It was found that factors of time and temperature greatly influenced the response variables excepting the esterification degree, while the acid type influenced the ζ-potential, methoxylation and esterification degrees. Additionally, it was seen that the longer extraction time (50 min) and higher temperature (50 °C) exhibited the better extraction yield (∼10.9%). Finally, the selected pectin showed high cytocompatibility up to 500 μg/mL of concentration when seeded with Neonatal Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Advancements in biotechnology underscore the critical role of gastrointestinal microbiome in health and disease. Probiotic supplementation offers therapeutic potential, particularly for functional gastrointestinal disorders, which affect over 40 % of the global population and impair quality of life. Despite a rapidly growing probiotics market, many formulations suffer from poor efficacy due to challenges such as gastric survival, temperature sensitivity and poor colonization of the gut lining. Encapsulation technologies have emerged as potential solutions, offering protection for probiotics but introducing complexities related to biopolymer coatings and adhesion efficiency. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly influence gut health with excess ROS contributing to dysbiosis, intestinal barrier disruption and inflammation. While dietary antioxidants offer some benefits, their rapid clearance and nonspecific biodistribution limit therapeutic efficacy. Encapsulation strategies integrating probiotics with phenolic antioxidants have demonstrated enhanced survival, adhesion, and antioxidant activity, presenting a promising avenue for gut health interventions. This review primarily aims to explore innovative approaches to encapsulated probiotic formulations, emphasizing their potential to address current limitations and improve gut health. Specifically, the review examines key areas of focus including the design and manufacturing of systems incorporating live microorganisms and bioactive molecules; evaluation of their digestion, release and bioactivity; and their in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Finally, regulatory considerations and future research directions, focused on advancing smart encapsulation strategies and novel delivery systems to enhance therapeutic efficacy and address current challenges in gut health interventions are also explored.

This study explored biodegradable nanoparticles for treating osteosarcoma. Co-delivery of miRNA-34a, doxorubicin, and resveratrol by LbL nanocoating enhanced apoptosis and cell disruption with promise to improve efficacy and reduce drug resistance.