Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40321154›Full record

ArticleOpen life sciences2025

Optimization of phenolic compound extraction from Tunisian squash by-products: A sustainable approach for antioxidant and antibacterial applications.

Walid Yeddes, Feten Zar Kalai, Iness Bettaieb Rebey, Majdi Hammami, Neji Tarchoun, Lilian Barros, Spyridon A Petropoulos, Hanen Falleh, Riadh Ksouri

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Open life sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Walid YeddesLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Feten Zar KalaiLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Iness Bettaieb RebeyLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Majdi HammamiLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Neji TarchounInstitut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott Mariem, B.P 47, 4042, Chott Mériem Sousse, Tunisia.
Lilian BarrosCentro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO) Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal.
Spyridon A PetropoulosUniversity of Thessaly, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, Fytokou Street, 38446, Volos, Greece.
Hanen FallehLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
Riadh KsouriLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, BP 901, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The valorization of agricultural by-products is a key strategy for environmental sustainability. This study focuses on optimizing the extraction of phenolic compounds from by-products (peels, fibrous strands, and seeds) of two Tunisian squash landraces (e.g. Bejaoui and Karkoubi) using the response surface methodology to enhance their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Ethanol concentration, extraction time, and temperature were the key parameters evaluated for their impact on phenolic compounds yield and bioactivity. High-performance liquid chromatography identified the major bioactive phenolic compounds, including vanillic acid, catechin gallate, hydroxytyrosol, and chlorogenic acid. The optimal extraction conditions for each by-product were defined as follows: Bejaoui peels (51.5% ethanol, 40.8°C, 50.5 min), fibrous strands (50.4% ethanol, 37.1°C, 36.3 min), and seeds (30% ethanol, 36.4°C, 8 min); Karkoubi peels (13.2% ethanol, 43.4°C, 47.2 min), fibrous strands (33.4% ethanol, 46.6°C, 10.8 min), and seeds (10.65% ethanol, 55.34°C, 23.16 min). The results demonstrated that optimizing extraction conditions may lead to significant enhancement of the total phenolic content and antiradical activity, with experimental values closely matching predictive models. Furthermore, the bioactive properties of these by-products, particularly their antibacterial activity, highlight their potential application as novel eco-friendly matrices for natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. This study underscores the importance of optimizing sustainable extraction techniques to maximize the valorization of agricultural waste, contributing to both environmental protection and the development of innovative natural products within the circular economy concept.

Indexed as

antimicrobial activityantioxidant activityCucurbita maximasquash by-productssustainable extractionwaste valorization

Identifiers

PMID40321154
PMCPMC12048901

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.