Recovery of High Valuable Bioactive Molecules from Vaccinium myrtillus L. Bioresidues

Abstract

Purpose: The interest in using bioresidues produced by the agri-food industry is increasingly intrinsic to the world economy. As such, researchers started to look for new ways to enhance its use, developing innovations to transform these residues into high-value raw materials with industrial application, promoting the circular economy concept. Methods: Therefore, pruning residues from the production of Vaccinium myrtillus L. could be an interesting exploitation field, given its position as a superfood due to its well-known antioxidant properties. The antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase, and cytotoxicity potentials of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of V. myrtillus aerial parts were evaluated. Results: From the obtained results, ultrasound-assisted and maceration extracts were found to be as effective as, if not more effective than, conventional antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Aside from antibacterial activity, the extracts also showed antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase effects, which were found to be favourably related to the level of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. Conclusion: The obtained results highlight the bioactive potential and the importance of exploiting this bio residue as a novel candidate for industrial application, taking advantage of their biological properties. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].