Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Wound-Healing Properties of Extracts from Different Parts of Hylocereus polyrhizus

Nutritional Value and Therapeutic Benefits of Dragon Fruit: A Comprehensive Review with Implications for Establishing Australian Industry Standards

Dragon fruit, which is native to northern South America and Mexico, has become a significant crop in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Vietnam, China, and Australia. The fruit (Hylocereus spp.) is rich in various bioactive phytochemical compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and pigments such as betalains and anthocyanins, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. This comprehensive review introduces the origin, classification, and global production of dragon fruit, with a particular focus on its bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic potential. Additionally, it critically evaluates the current industry standards for fresh dragon fruit production across key producing countries. While these standards primarily focus on quality, classification, and grading criteria, they lack focus on parameters related to the fruit's bioactive content. The absence of established quality standards for fresh produce in the Australian dragon fruit industry presents a unique opportunity to develop guidelines that align with both international benchmarks and the therapeutic potential of the fruit. By addressing this gap, this review can potentially help Australia to position its dragon fruit industry to achieve greater consistency, competitiveness, and consumer appeal. As the demand for functional foods continues to rise, aligning Australian production practices with global standards becomes critical to meeting domestic market expectations. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of dragon fruit's nutritional and therapeutic significance and highlights its potential role in establishing a robust standard for the Australian dragon fruit industry. A review of global industry standards reveled that Australian standard could incorporate classifications of dragon fruits, including external factors like appearance, size, and defect tolerance. Future research is needed to prioritize understanding of the impact of cultivation practices and environmental factors on the bioactive composition of dragon fruit, enabling the development of best practices for growers. Additionally, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of these bioactive properties through clinical trials, particularly their potential in preventing chronic diseases. The advancement of analytical methods for quantifying bioactive compounds will provide deeper insights into their health benefits and support the establishment of bioactive-oriented industry standards. Moreover, investigations of post-harvest handling and processing techniques could optimize the preservation of these valuable compounds, enhancing dragon fruit's role as a functional food.

Valorization of dragon fruit waste to value-added bioproducts and formulations: A review

Owing to the increasing worldwide population explosion, managing waste generated from the food sector has become a cross-cutting issue globally, leading to environmental, economic, and social issues. Circular economy-inspired waste valorization approaches have been increasing steadily, generating new business opportunities developing valuable bioproducts using food waste, especially fruit wastes, that may have several applications in energy-food-pharma sectors. Dragon fruit waste is one such waste resource, which is rich in several value-added chemicals and oils, and can be a renewable resource to produce several value-added compounds of potential applications in different industries. Pretreatment and extraction processes in biorefineries are important strategies for recovering value-added biomolecules. There are different methods of valorization, including green extractions and biological conversion approaches. However, microbe-based conversion is one of the advanced technologies for valorizing dragon fruit waste into bioethanol, bioactive products, pharmaceuticals, and other valued products by reusing or recycling them. This state-of-the-art review briefly overviews the dragon fruit waste management strategies and advanced eco-friendly and cost-effective valorization technologies. Furthermore, various applications of different valuable bioactive components obtained from dragon fruit waste have been critically discussed concerning various industrial sectors. Several industrial sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels, have been critically reviewed in detail.

In vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of defatted Selenicereus monacanthus (Lem.) D.R.Hunt seed extract

Extracts from Selenicereus monacanthus (synonym: Hylocereus polyrhizus) have received attention due to their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. The current study aims to determine the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potential of defatted S. monacanthus seed extract (DSMSE). Anti-inflammatory properties of DSMSE on LPS-induced inflammation on THP-1 were determined by measuring the levels of interleukins IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Wound healing scratch assay was performed using the human fibroblast (Hs27) cell that assesses the cell migration over 24 h exposure to DSMSE. Administration of DSMSE significantly reduced the LPS-stimulated release levels of IL-6 and IL-8 and significantly increased the levels of IL-10. Treatment with DSMSE showed a significant increase in wound closure with 70% of fibroblast migration. Therefore, the current study showed the anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of DSMSE reducing inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8), increasing IL-10 cytokine, and increasing wound closure at 24 h.

Dragon fruit farming by-products as an important source of several glycosylated flavonoids

Plants are globally used as an alternative for conventional drugs in treatment of many diseases. A significant proportion of medicinal properties of plants is addressed to antioxidant constituents as flavonoids and phenolic acids. The genus Selenicereus, known as dragon fruit, has about 15 species of epiphytic or hemiepiphytic cactus with hotspots in the tropical region of Mexico. Recently, these plants have been the focus of pharmacological studies due to the antioxidant activity of its fruits. Although many studies have investigated the biological activities of fruits, few studies investigated the chemical constituents and biological activities of cladodes. Despite the little knowledge about cladodes, it has been already observed to have higher antioxidant activities and other biological activities than the fruits. Besides this, cladodes are by-products resulting from the year-round pruning. Another important point about studies involving dragon fruit is that none of them identify the variety that is being used. As it is a commercial plant, it has many varieties created by artificial selection and hybridization such as many other food plants. In this study we found that varieties from the same species showed quantitative and qualitative differences in the metabolite profile using LC-MS. Metabolite profile from Cerrado (Selenicereus setaceus) was closer to Branca (Selenicereus undatus) than Thick King (S. setaceus), as well as Golden (S. undatus) was closer to Thick King than Branca. These results show that it is essential to identify varieties that are being used in the studies, whereas studies that attempt to replicate the experiments or use these plants for phytopreparations are prone to mislead.

Pitaya Nutrition, Biology, and Biotechnology: A Review

Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) is a member of the cactus family that is native to Central and South America but is now cultivated throughout the sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. It is of great importance due to its nutritional, ornamental, coloring, medicinal, industrial, and high consumption values. In order to effectively utilize and develop the available genetic resources, it is necessary to appreciate and understand studies pertaining to the usage, origin, nutrition, diversity, evaluation, characterization, conservation, taxonomy, and systematics of the genus Hylocereus. Additionally, to gain a basic understanding of the biology of the plant, this review has also discussed how biotechnological tools, such as cell and tissue culture, micropropagation (i.e., somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, somaclonal variation, mutagenesis, androgenesis, gynogenesis, and altered ploidy), virus-induced gene silencing, and molecular marker technology, have been used to enhance pitaya germplasm.

Protein from Hylocereus polyrhizus protects MRC-5 cells against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage

The cytoprotective and potential molecular mechanisms of Hylocereus polyrhizus protein (RFPP) were investigated on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-triggered damage in normal human embryonic lung (MRC-5) cells. An MTT assay was conducted to assess the MRC-5 cell viability after exposure to H2O2 or RFPP. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were explored via flow cytometry. The contents of related proteins were assessed via western blot. MRC-5 cells exhibited markedly decreased cellular viability after treatment with H2O2; however, treatment with RFPP suppressed this decrease. Additionally, RFPP interference dampened H2O2-triggered intracellular apoptosis levels and increased H2O2-triggered intracellular S phase. In these processes, the contents of phosphorylated (p)-AKT along with p-mTOR proteins were downregulated in 120 µM H2O2-treated cells compared with vehicle-treated cells. Nevertheless, in MRC-5 cells inoculated with RFPP, the levels expression of these proteins were reversed. To conclude, RFPP protected MRC-5 cells from H2O2-triggered damage via activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade.

Elaboration and Characterization of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs): Application in the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from pitaya

In this paper, natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) with lactic acid, glycine, ammonium acetate, sodium acetate, and choline chloride were prepared with and without the addition of water. NADES formation was evaluated using FTIR and Raman, where hydrogen bonds were identified between the hydroxyl group of lactic acid and the amino and carboxyl groups of glycine. Acetate and ammonium ions were also identified as forming bonds with lactic acid. The addition of water did not cause changes in the vibrational modes of the FTIR and Raman spectra but contributed to a reduction in NADES viscosity and density. Viscosity ranged from 0.335 to 0.017 Pa s^-1, and density ranged from 1.159 to 0.785 g mL^-1. The best results for the extraction of phenolic compounds from pitaya (dragon fruit) were achieved with an organic solvent (450. 41 mg 100 g^-1 dry bases-db) in comparison to NADESs lactic acid:glycine (193.18 mg 100 g^-1 db) and lactic acid:ammonium acetate (186.08 mg 100 g^-1 db). The antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained with the NADESs was not statistically different from that of the extract obtained with organic solvents.

Latest Advances in Protein-Recovery Technologies from Agricultural Waste

In recent years, downstream bioprocessing industries are venturing into less tedious, simple, and high-efficiency separation by implementing advanced purification and extraction methods. This review discusses the separation of proteins, with the main focus on amylase as an enzyme from agricultural waste using conventional and advanced techniques of extraction and purification via a liquid biphasic system (LBS). In comparison to other methods, such as membrane extraction, precipitation, ultrasonication, and chromatography, the LBS stands out as an efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable developing method for protein recovery. The two-phase separation method can be water-soluble polymers, or polymer and salt, or alcohol and salt, which is a simpler and lower-cost method that can be used at a larger purification scale. The comparison of different approaches in LBS for amylase purification from agricultural waste is also included. Current technology has evolved from a simple LBS into microwave-assisted LBS, liquid biphasic flotation (LBF), thermoseparation (TMP), three-phase partitioning (TPP), ultrasound-assisted LBS, and electrically assisted LBS. pH, time, temperature, and concentration are some of the significant research parameters considered in the review of advanced techniques.

Substrate degradation, biodiesel production, and microbial community of two electro-fermentation systems on treating oleaginous microalgae Nannochloropsis sp

Electro-fermentation system (EFS) emerges its effectiveness on treating microalgae for biodiesel production, but much is unknown about biodegradation behaviors, biodiesel characteristics, and microbial community. Compared with conventional fermentation system (CFS), microbial electrolysis cell-based EFS (MEC-EFS) and microbial fuel cell-based EFS (MFC-EFS) were investigated for the performance while treating microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. Results indicated that MEC-EFS presented much higher first-order decomposition rate coefficients of carbohydrates and proteins (1.212/d and 0.951/d) than those of CFS (0.615/d and 0.794/d) and MFC-EFS (0.518/d and 0.415/d). Compared with MFC-EFS, MEC-EFS showed better electrochemical performance (2.17 A/m³vs. 0.95 A/m³). Moreover, MEC-EFS reached the highest extracted lipid to biomass ratio (43.3%), followed by MFC-EFS (32.3%) and CFS (27.7%). By strengthened microbial biohydrogenation, MEC-EFS and MFC-EFS had higher saturated fatty acids ratio (78.8% and 70.6%) than that of CFS (56.1%). For MEC-EFS, enriched Ruminococcus and Geobacter in anodic biofilm might contribute to favorable biohydrogenation and electrochemical performance.

Distinguishing three Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) species grown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India using morphological, biochemical and molecular traits

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), an important tropical fruit belonging to the family Cactaceae, is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, dietary fibres and antioxidants. This study aims to distinguish three dragon fruit species well adapted to Andaman and Nicobar Island through morphological (34 quantitative and 26 qualitative traits), biochemical (5 traits) and molecular (14 ISSR primers) characterization. Morphological characterization revealed that presence of considerable amount of genetic variations among them especially for fruit characters viz., colour of peel and pulp. Cladode characters such as number of spines (3–5), length of areoles (mm) as 1–4, margin ribs of cladode (convex or concave) and its waxiness (weak or strong white waxy or light waxy) could be used for identification of three Hylocereus spp. under present study. Highest co-efficient of variation (%) obtained for pulp weight (88.7), whereas, lowest in distance of anthers belowstigma (3.3). Fruit and pulp weight (g) ranged from 26.5–419.3 and 10.3–258.8 with mean value of 204.8 and 125.3, respectively. Comparatively, high phenol (71.3–161.3) and flavonoid (26.6–508.2) content observed in peels than pulp (32.5–130.0 and 45.0–258.2) of fruit indicating higher antioxidant potential. Highest total carotenoids (µg 100 g⁻¹), β-carotene (µg 100 g⁻¹) and xanthophyll (µg g⁻¹) content obtained in pulp on DGF3 (33.8), DGF4 (55.9) and DGF3 (32.7), whereas, in peel on DGF2 (24.3), DGF4 (18.5) and DGF2 (24.1), respectively. DPPH-based scavenging activity (%) revealed higher scavenging activity of peels (55.6–81.2) than pulp (36.0–75.3) extracts. Comparatively, ABTS-based scavenging activity (%) was found more than DPPH-based one. Sixteen ISSR primers screened, 14 were produced 178 reproducible amplified bands. Number of amplified bands varied from 5 in UBC887 to 19 in UBC811 with an average of 12.71 bands per primer. Range of polymorphic bands and % polymorphism observed were 1–13 and 20.0–92.8, respectively. The polymorphic information content value of ISSR marker ranged from 0.42 (UBC895) to 0.91 (UBC 856). Cluster analysis distinguished three different Hylocereus species on the basis of geographic origin and pulp colour by forming separate groups and two genotypes each showed 52% (DGF1 and DGF3) and 76% (DGF2 and DGF4) genetic similarity. Key traits identified for distinguishing three different Hylocereus species were: Pulp/ peel colour of fruits, number of spines and length of areoles in cladode. Genotypes with high carotenoid and xanthophylls content (DGF4 and DGF2) identified under present study may be of industrial importance for development of nutraceutical products to meet out the vitamin-A deficiency among humans in tropical regions needed future focus.