Eliciting sustainability: biochemical strategy for the valorization of the agrifood by­-products

Valorizing bioactive compounds from biomass, by­-products and waste is a key aspect of the circular economy, contributing to agronomic practices, industrial food processing, and nutrition sustainability. The agri­-food industry generates large amounts of by­products, that retain valuable bioactive molecules with the potential to elicit specific biological responses. These responses, such as bio­defense and ­stimulation, can be harnessed for diverse applications, including sustainable agriculture and food technology. By-­products such as okara and tomato seeds are rich in bioactive compounds, including peptides, polyphenols, and proteins, which have shown potential in biostimulation, green pesticides, and nutrition. Revalorizing these materials generates high­value products and reduces waste, addressing environmental challenges related to waste management. Despite considerable research on isolated bioactive compounds, matrix effects hinder their efficient extraction and bioavailability. Supramolecular structures within food by­products impact the molecular interactions between components during biological and technological transformations, complicating the recovery of bioactives. To overcome these challenges, advanced biochemical strategies, including enzymatic and chemical treatments, are essential to optimize bioactive recovery. Proteins extracted from okara and tomato seeds, when subjected to enzymatic digestion with trypsin­like enzymes and cysteine endopeptidases, produce digestion products with biodefense activity against agronomically relevant fungi. Ongoing research is focused on characterizing these digestion products to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their bioactivity. The valorization of agri­-food by-­products offers significant biotechnological opportunities, providing sustainable solutions for waste reduction and the development of bioactive compounds with diverse applications in nutraceuticals, agriculture, and beyond.