Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), a shrub distributed across approximately 19 Mha of arid North American regions, has traditional applications in folk medicine due to the presence of bioactive molecules such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and ellagic acid (EA). This study investigated the implementation of a solid-state fermentation (SSF) optimization process employing creosote bush leaves as substrate using Aspergillus niger GH1 to improve NDGA and EA extraction. This study was based on previous research by our group that identified key parameters for NDGA production in a related SSF system. Creosote bush is a recognized source of these bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Conventional extraction methods often exhibit limitations in efficiency and sustainability. The efficacy of A. niger GH1 in SSF has been previously established with diverse substrates. In this study, A. niger GH1 was employed in an SSF process utilizing creosote bush leaves as a substrate using a Box–Behnken experimental design. The accumulation of NDGA and EA, which were quantified by HPLC-MS, yielded values of 1.20 ± 0.32 mg g⁻¹ for EA and 7.39 ± 0.52 mg g⁻¹ for NDGA. In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with inhibition percentages of 55.69% and 84.84%, respectively. These results indicate that A. niger GH1-mediated SSF using Creosote bush leaves is a viable and sustainable strategy for producing these valuable bioactive compounds.

The giant reed (Arundo donax) is a fast-growing plant adapted to different climatic and soil conditions; although its origin is Asian, the species has spread throughout the world. During its development, it consumes three times more water than typical native vegetation and is responsible for changing the landscape of riparian areas; the high biomass productivity and the annual harvest period make this crop an alternative to produce and/or extract industrial bioproducts. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using giant reed in a bioprocess that produces enzymes by a solid-state fermentation experiment, four fungal species were tested (Aspergillus niger GH1, Aspergillus niger PSH, Trichoderma harzianum, and Rhizopus oryzae); enzyme activities were performed using reported methodologies varying only reaction volumes. The A. niger GH1 and PSH strains were the best adapted to the plant material, A. niger GH1 was capable to produce 4 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (174.39 ± 19.62 U/L), xylanase (1313.31 ± 39.25 U/L), invertase (642.22 ± 23.55 U/L), and polyphenol oxidase (6094.01 ± 306.54) while A. niger PSH was able to produce 3 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (147.09 ± 13.88 U/L), xylanase (1307.76 ± 31.40 U/L), and invertase (603.92 ± 3.14 U/L).

Ellagitannins (ETs) derived from rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel are polyphenols that have gained prominence in the food and nutraceutical industries due to their high bioactivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of ETs obtained from rambutan peel in sodium alginate beads, as well as their effect on cell viability and antioxidant potential. ETs were extracted and semi-purified using Amberlite XAD-16 resin and identified by HPLC/ESI/MS. To determine the encapsulation efficiency, a 3^k Box–Behnken experimental design was employed, evaluating the influence of ET concentration (1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm), sodium alginate (1, 2, and 3%), and CaCl₂ (5, 10, and 15 mM). Cell viability was assessed in HEK-293 and 3T3 cell lines, and antioxidant potential was determined through ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The results showed a maximum EE of 55% under conditions of 3000 ppm ETs, 2% sodium alginate, and 5 mM CaCl₂. Cell viability assays confirmed that both the crude extract and the ET-loaded capsules possess excellent biocompatibility, maintaining values above 70%. Furthermore, the capsules demonstrated significant antioxidant potential (ABTS 76%, DPPH 65%, FRAP 1.11 mmol TE/L) compared to the control (sodium alginate). These findings position the ET-loaded rambutan peel capsules as a promising alternative for the development of functional products in the food industry.