Piceatannol from Passion Fruit Seed Waste: A Circular Bioeconomy-Driven Pathway Toward a Skin-Targeted Bioactive

Passiflora edulis (passion fruit) seed waste, an abundant by-product of the juice industry, is a promising source of piceatannol (PIC), a hydroxystilbene with superior antioxidant activity compared to resveratrol. However, its translation into a skin-targeted ingredient remains hindered by a lack of standardization and clinical validation. This review synthesizes current evidence on the dermatological potential of PIC and proposes a translational roadmap within a circular bioeconomy framework. Preclinical studies demonstrate that PIC exerts multi-target effects relevant to skin aging and acne, including ROS scavenging, anti-inflammatory activity via NF-κB/MAPK inhibition, suppression of melanogenesis, enhancement of hyaluronic acid and collagen synthesis, and antibacterial action against Cutibacterium acnes. However, clinical data are limited and methodologically inconsistent. To bridge this translational gap, we propose a development strategy focused on: (i) extract standardization with a proposed minimum PIC content (e.g., ≥0.3% w/w); (ii) an integrated biorefinery approach for the co-production of seed oil and phenolic fractions; and (iii) a phase-gate pipeline encompassing dermal safety assessment, advanced delivery optimization, and biomarker-correlated clinical trials.