Processing of agroindustrial byproducts from the cocoa (Theobroma Cacao L.) production chain to obtain bioactive compounds through supercritical fluid extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction and their potential application

Abstract

Background

There has been a growing interest in the potential value of highly applicable bioactive substances found in agroindustrial byproducts like cocoa husks and shells for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this context, extracting bioactive compounds of the lignocellulosic matrix using nonconventional or green extraction methods becomes challenging. This study used an experimental strategy to apply supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) to cocoa processing byproducts.

Results

Husk SFE extracts, obtained under optimized conditions (58 °C, 7.5 MPa and 22.3% ethanol), showed a high value of total phenolic content (45.67 mg GAE g⁻¹) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 289.43 μmol Trolox g⁻¹; ABTS: 304.80 μmol Trolox g⁻¹) compared to those of the shell SFE extracts (19.15 mg GAE g⁻¹, DPPH 90.96 μmol Trolox g⁻¹ and ABTS 104.56 μmol Trolox g⁻¹) obtained at 53.3 °C, 7.3 MPa and 22.2% ethanol. Fatty acid profile of the shells was noteworthy due to the presence of epicatechin, catechin, theobromine and caffeine, as well as substantial quantities of stearic and palmitic acid. EAE–SFE increased the yield, antioxidant capacity and total polyphenol content of husk SFE extracts. The potential of the extracts lies in their antimicrobial capacity. An inhibition halo was observed against S. mutans using the SFE husk extract and against E. coli using shell extract obtained by EAE–SFE. The presence of methylxanthines and polyphenols is thought to be responsible for this reaction.

Conclusion

Cocoa byproducts can be used to obtain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, suggesting their potential application in various fields. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).