Valorization of yellow, black, and white sapote peel byproducts: exploring their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties, along with computational mapping

Abstract

Abstract Background This study evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties of yellow ( Pouteria campechiana ), black ( Diospyros digyna ), and white ( Casimiroa edulis ) sapote peels, integrating in vitro bioassays and in silico pharmacological profiling. Results Ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) and maceration were compared; phytochemical analysis revealed that UAE significantly increased total polyphenol and flavonoid content, with black sapote ultrasound (BSUS) extract displaying the highest values (TPC: 10.72 mg GAE/g, TFC: 4.77 mg QE/g). Antioxidant activity, measured by ABTS, DPPH, β‐carotene bleaching, and FRAP assays, was concentration‐dependent; BSUS and white sapote ultrasound (WSUS) extracts showed low IC₅₀ values (e.g., WSUS DPPH IC₅₀: 154.1 μg/mL), outperforming BHT in some assays. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that ultrasound extracts, particularly WSUS and yellow sapote ultrasound (YSUS) extracts, achieved up to 70% inhibition against E. coli ATCC 8739 and 60% against S. aureus ATCC 25923 at 800 μg/mL. All extracts exhibited strong antibiofilm activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , achieving nearly 100% inhibition at 800 μg/mL. Toxicity assessment using Artemia salina indicated that white sapote extracts were toxic (viability ~40–50%), while yellow and black sapote extracts were non‐toxic. In silico docking showed high binding affinities of sapote phenolics to the LasR protein, supporting observed antibiofilm effects; ADMET analysis indicated low mammalian toxicity but potential environmental risk for zapotin. Conclusion Sapote peels, especially black sapote obtained by ultrasound, are promising sources of multifunctional bioactive compounds for food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological applications. However, safety evaluation is essential for white sapote extracts. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).