Photoprotective Property, Bioactivities, and Chemical Composition of Durian Peel Extracts: Agricultural Waste Valorization for Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

This study explores the bioactive properties of Thai Durio zibethinus (Montong durian) peel extracts, focusing on their potential for therapeutic applications in the nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. The extracts were evaluated for their cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective activities. The n-hexane extract demonstrated potent cytotoxic effects against HCT116 colorectal cancer cells, achieving 98.23% inhibition at 50 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 43.04 ± 4.64 µg/mL. The EtOAc extract displayed significant anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, with an IC50 of 6.02 ± 0.65 µg/mL. Antioxidant activity, measured through DPPH and ABTS assays, was the highest in the EtOAc extract. The photoprotective potential was confirmed through SPF evaluation, indicating UV protection across tested concentrations. GC/MS analysis of the n-hexane extract identified key bioactive constituents, including phytosterols. Guided by bioactivity results, 10 compounds were isolated from the n-hexane and EtOAc extracts, with compounds 3, 4, and 5 identified for the first time from the Durio genus. Structural elucidation using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy confirmed the identities of these com-pounds. These findings highlight the promising applications of D. zibethinus peel extracts as sources of bioactive compounds for health-related industries.