Exploring the efficacy of the biological properties of Persea americana Mill seed: Useful studies and perspectives in functional foods

The global expansion of avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) production has generated massive volumes of seed residues, presenting both environmental challenges and opportunities for valorization. Far from being waste, avocado seeds are a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This review critically synthesizes current scientific evidence on avocado seed extracts, emphasizing their phytochemical composition, biological activities, and prospective applications. A structured literature search was conducted across ScienceDirect, PubMed, Springer Link, and Google Scholar to identify relevant in vitro , in vivo , and phytochemical studies. Avocado seeds contain diverse compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, anthocyanins, and acetogenins, which collectively confer antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and metabolic-regulating activities in preclinical models. Despite promising findings, human data on safety, bioavailability, and efficacy remain limited. Bridging these gaps through well-designed clinical trials is essential to support regulatory approval and safe product development. Standardization of extraction, processing, and formulation protocols is also critical to preserve bioactivity and ensure reproducibility. The responsible valorization of avocado seeds aligns with circular economy principles by converting a major agro-industrial byproduct into high-value functional ingredients. Moreover, this approach could foster innovation and growth in the global bioeconomy while promoting sustainable and health-oriented applications. • Avocado seed is a rich source of complex bioactives with multifunctional potential. • Extracts show synergistic effects reducing non-communicable chronic disease risk. • Bioactives exhibit antimicrobial activity against bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents. • Preclinical evidence supports antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-modulating effects. • Safety, toxicity, and clinical validation are critical for regulatory approval as Novel Food. • Avocado seed derivatives hold potential for functional foods, cosmetics, and therapeutics.