A Review on Tropical Fruit Seed Lipidomics: Extraction, Characterization, and Bioactivity

Abstract: Fruit seeds are often discarded as waste during agro-industrial processing, yet they are rich sources of valuable bioactive compounds with significant potential for commercialization. These compounds include monounsaturated fatty acids, n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as various phytochemicals such as tocopherols, carotenoids, and other lipids. Tropical fruit seeds, in particular, contain substantial lipid content, with avocado seeds yielding 1.1–1.9% oil and lemon seeds up to 78.9%. Despite this, the lipid profiles of many fruit seeds remain underexplored. There is a growing need for detailed lipidomic studies, especially for tropical fruit crops. This review discusses various aspects of fruit seed byproducts, focusing on the types of lipids present, lipidomic analyses, bioactivity, and their potential for value-added applications. Harnessing these bioactive compounds can help minimize waste and promote sustainability, provided commercialization aligns with community and ecosystem standards.