Exploring the Potential of Hop (Humulus lupulus) Cone Residue: Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Bioactivities.

Authors

Giulia Boito Reyes, Emylaine Pereira Dos Santos, Everton da Silva Santos, Laura Correia Gonçalves, Gabriela Catuzo Canonico Silva, Zilda Cristiani Gazim, Regina Aparecida Correia Gonçalves, Arildo José Braz de Oliveira, José Pinela, Filipa Mandim, Tânia C S P Pires, Lucio Cardozo-Filho, Rúbia Carvalho Gomes Corrêa, José Eduardo Gonçalves

Published in

Plants (Basel, Switzerland). Volume 15. Issue 7. Mar 24, 2026. Epub Mar 24, 2026.

Abstract

Humulus lupulus L. (hops), belonging to the Cannabaceae family, is grown mainly for brewing, with 98% of global production directed to this sector. Moreover, large volumes of female cone residues are generated as by-products, representing a valuable source of bioactive compounds that can be valorized under green chemistry principles. This study aimed to extract bioactive compounds from hop cone residues sourced from craft breweries using ultrasound-assisted (EH-UA) and microwave-assisted (EH-MA) extraction methods. Hydroalcoholic extracts (70%) were analyzed for chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, nitric oxide (NO)-production inhibition, and photoprotective activities. GC-MS identified 32 compounds in EH-MA and 30 in EH-UA, including terpenes, sesquiterpenes, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and fatty acids. Both extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in cell-based (TBARS, OxHLIA) and chemical (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) assays, particularly EH-MA. Significant antibacterial activity was observed, especially against Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 1-10 mg/mL), as well as antifungal activity against Aspergillus brasiliensis (MIC 2-2.5 mg/mL). Selective antiproliferative activity was observed against tumor cell lines Caco-2 and MCF-7 (GI₅₀ 25 μg/mL), without cytotoxicity toward nontumor cell lines Vero and PLP2 (GI₅₀ > 400 μg/mL). All extracts inhibited the production of the inflammation mediator NO, with EH-MA showing the most potent effect (IC₅₀ of 35 μg/mL), followed by EH-UA (IC₅₀ of 55 μg/mL). Photoprotective potential was also demonstrated, with SPF values of 19 (EH-MA) and 18 (EH-UA). In conclusion, hop cone residues can yield multifunctional extracts with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective activities, which support their sustainable upcycling for pharmacological, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications.

PMID:
41977652
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Sep 2026.

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