SUSTAINABLE DRUG DISCOVERY: BRIDGING FOOD BIOSCIENCE, PHARMACOGNOSY, AND GREEN CHEMISTRY

The convergence of food bioscience, pharmacognosy, and green chemistry offers transformative opportunities for sustainable drug discovery. Traditional drug discovery from natural sources faces significant challenges including biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and environmental impact. The concept of a circular bioeconomy, emphasizing waste valorization and resource efficiency, provides a framework for sustainable natural product discovery. This review critically examines the interdisciplinary framework bridging food bioscience, pharmacognosy, and green chemistry for sustainable drug discovery. We evaluate the valorization of agro-industrial by-products as sources of bioactive compounds, the application of green extraction technologies for sustainable metabolite recovery, and the utilization of microbial fermentation for bioactive compound production. Furthermore, we assess the integration of these approaches within a circular economy framework, emphasizing waste reduction, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Case studies demonstrating successful sustainable drug discovery from food industry by-products, including grape pomace, citrus peels, and olive mill waste, are examined. Despite significant advances, challenges including economic viability, regulatory acceptance, and standardization persist. This review identifies research gaps and discusses strategies for advancing sustainable drug discovery through interdisciplinary collaboration.