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Phytochemical Screening of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Seed and Peel Extracts under a Simplex-Centroid Solvent Design: Implications for the Valorization of Agro-Industrial By-Products
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile of tamarind seed and peel extracts using a simplex-centroid solvent design. Qualitative screening revealed a broader diversity of metabolites in seed extracts compared to peels. The solvent system showed limited influence on qualitative detection, indicating that matrix composition plays a dominant role. These findings highlight the potential of tamarind seeds as a source of bioactive compounds and support their valorization in functional food and bioproduct applications. However, further quantitative and biological studies are required. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) processing generates significant amounts of seeds and peels, which are often underutilized despite their potential as sources of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile of tamarind seed and peel extracts using a simplex-centroid solvent design. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed a broader diversity of metabolites in seed extracts, including flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, amino acids, and cardiac glycosides, whereas peel extracts exhibited a limited profile, mainly characterized by reducing sugars. The solvent system showed minimal influence on qualitative detection, indicating that matrix composition plays a dominant role over extraction conditions in this context. The results highlight the relevance of tamarind seeds as a promising matrix for the recovery of bioactive compounds and support their potential valorization within sustainable and circular economy approaches. However, due to the qualitative nature of the analyses, further quantitative and biological studies are required to confirm these findings.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.1705-1712
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