Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Spent Coffee Grounds Using Supercritical Fluid: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity, and Oil Quality

• Grant number: 24/21780-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: January 31, 2025
• End date: July 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Kelly Johana Dussán Medina
• Grantee: Naira Linhares Sabino
• Supervisor: Maria Elena Ibanez Ezequiel
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Instituto De Investigación En Ciencias De La Alimentación, Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/09840-3 - Obtaining the metabolic profile and extracting bioactive compounds from Spent Coffee Grounds, BP.MS

Abstract

Solid waste is often perceived as a problem. However, current policies and strategic plans recognize that, if properly managed, such wastes and by-products can be valuable resources for society, including sources of oils and fats, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pigments, and bioactive compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. In addition to contributing to a more sustainable, circular economy, these products have a high commercial value compared to those obtained through traditional waste treatment. Spent coffee grounds in particular are a promising source of natural byproducts such as food additives, pharmaceutical ingredients, biosorbents, biofuels and bioproducts. In this context, the primary objective of this study is to explore the potential of spent coffee grounds, one of the most commonly discarded byproducts from cafes, households, and the coffee processing industry, as a lignocellulosic feedstock for the production of compounds through green chemistry. These compounds are both environmentally sustainable and commercially valuable, allowing for cascading valorization. Specifically, this research aims to produce bioactive compounds from spent coffee ground extracts obtained using supercritical fluid technology. The extracts will be evaluated for antioxidant activity, oil quality and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential in vitro to assess their potential for pharmaceutical applications. This study aims to make a positive contribution to scientific and technological development within the broader framework of sustainability by using supercritical fluid extraction in comparison to the conventional dynamic maceration method. This approach will demonstrate the biotechnological potential of the extracts obtained and facilitate progress in the design of processes that utilize lignocellulosic by-products to produce high value bioproducts.