Pomegranate (PMG; Punica granatum L.) fruits possess a well-balanced nutrient/phytochemical composition, with proven adjuvant benefits in experimental cancer chemotherapy; however, such bioactivity could be affected by PMG’s phenogenotype (varietal). Here, the chemical and phytochemical (UPLC-DAD-MS²) composition, antioxidant capacity and anticancer potential [in vitro (MTT assay) and in silico (foodinformatics)] of three PMG fruits of different aryl color [red (cv. Wonderful), pink (cv. Molar de Elche), and white (cv. Indian)] were evaluated. The macro/micronutrient (ascorbic acid, tocols, carotenoids), organic acid (citric/malic), and polyphenol content were changed by PMG’s varietal and total antioxidant activity (ABTS, alcoholic > hexane extract) in the order of red > pink > white. However, their in vitro cytotoxicity was the same (IC₅₀ > 200 μg.mL⁻¹) against normal (retinal) and cancer (breast, lung, colorectal) cell lines. Sixteen major phytochemicals were tentatively identified, four of them with a high GI absorption/bioavailability score [Ellagic (pink), vanillic (red), gallic (white) acids, D-(+)-catechin (white)] and three of them with multiple molecular targets [Ellagic (52) > vanillic (32) > gallic (23)] associated with anticancer (at initiation and promotion stages) activity. The anticancer potential of the PMG fruit is phenogenotype-specific, although it could be more effective in nutraceutical formulations (concentrates).

The production of mezcal from agave is one of the main beverage industries worldwide, generating large amounts of waste, such as agave bagasse. Improper management of this waste often causes environmental contamination. Some studies have begun to demonstrate that agave bagasse has the potential to be recycled as a source of functional ingredients due to its dietary fiber and bioactive compound content. However, the greatest disadvantage of using these wastes is the significant variation in compound content and bioactivity in response to seasonal climatic variations. This study aimed to analyze the chemical and bioactive content of agave bagasse from three mezcal factories in Mexico. We conducted proximate composition analysis, phenolic compound measurement, dietary fiber assessment, antioxidant capacity evaluation, and structural analysis using FTIR- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The study found significantly higher ash content (17.75%), carbohydrates (86.71%), and soluble fiber (30.91%) in the spring compared to other seasons. The summer showed a higher lipid content (10.25%), while the highest concentration of sugars (47.77%) was observed during the winter. The highest antioxidant capacity (106.15 mM eq Trolox/mg) was recorded in autumn. The FTIR analysis revealed that the greatest abundance of bioactive compounds was observed in the spring and summer, while structural carbohydrates were more prominent in autumn and winter. This study is the first to thoroughly analyze the seasonal variation in phytochemicals and macromolecules in agave residues, crucial for exploring new ingredient sources to expand our food supply and recycling agri-food wastes.

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. is an important aromatic plant widely used in traditional Mexican medicine for its therapeutic potential. Its medicinal activity is attributed to a wide range of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids. However, overexploitation, habitat loss, climate change and plant diseases threaten its natural populations and diversity. Although the species reproduces both sexually and asexually, conventional propagation methods are often slow, limited by environmental factors, and susceptible to pests and pathogens. Therefore, this research aimed to establish a micropropagation protocol for A. ludoviciana and to evaluate the changes in its phenolic composition and antioxidant activity while adapting to ex vitro conditions. Full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.1 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine resulted in the highest number of shoots (3.30 ± 0.34) and shoot length (3.00 ± 0.12 cm). Moreover, 1/2 MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-acetic acid improved the number (14.45 ± 0.56) and quality of roots. Hardening and acclimatization of plantlets showed 100% survival after 10 weeks. Also, the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of A. ludoviciana changed in response to stress derived from growth conditions. The results support the sustainable use and rapid propagation of the species, as well as provide the basis for the study of secondary metabolism in the plant.

In this work, a food-compatible bioprocess was evaluated for the production of yeast single-cell protein from mezcal agave bagasse. Bagasse was enzymatically hydrolyzed at 10% (w/v) solids (pH 4.8, 50 °C, 24 h) using commercial enzymes. The resulting liquid was clarified by activated charcoal adsorption and filtration to obtain a hydrolysate suitable for submerged fermentation. Enzymatic hydrolysis released reducing sugars in the range of 11–17 g/L. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was cultivated on the clarified hydrolysate under submerged conditions using both flask-scale and 2 L stirred-tank bioreactor experiments. Trials were performed at flask scale with initial sugars at 8, 17, and 50 g/L, and at 2 L stirred-tank bioreactor scale with initial sugars at 20.68 g/L (R1) and 16.30 (R2) g/L. At the flask scale, final biomass concentrations increased with initial sugar level. Values reached 6.18 ± 0.27, 8.02 ± 0.55, and 9.28 ± 0.10 g/L, while crude protein remained below 10% (3.40 ± 0.15 to 8.69 ± 0.09 g/100 g dry weight). In contrast, bioreactor cultivation resulted in higher protein enrichment, with protein contents over 40% under both oxygen regimes (41.71 ± 0.47 to 45.80 ± 0.43 g/100 g dry weight). Overall, the findings support enzymatic hydrolysis coupled with controlled submerged fermentation as a scalable approach for valorizing agave bagasse into protein-enriched yeast biomass.