Zaira Guadalupe Ibarra-Manzanares

This review examines how the integration of circular bioeconomy principles with digital technologies can drive climate change mitigation, improve resource efficiency, and facilitate sustainable biorefinery development. This highlights the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and introduces the bio-circular economy as a regenerative model focused on biomass valorization, reuse, recycling, and biodegradability. This study compares linear, circular, and bio-circular approaches and analyzes key policy frameworks in Europe, Latin America, and Asia linked to several UN Sustainable Development Goals. A central focus is the role of digitalization, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. Examples include AI-based biomass yield prediction and biorefinery optimization, IoT-enabled real-time monitoring of material and energy flows, and blockchain technology for supply chain traceability and transparency. Applications in agricultural waste valorization, bioplastics, bioenergy, and nutraceutical extraction are also discussed in this review. Sustainability tools, such as automated life-cycle assessment (LCA) and Industry 4.0 integration, are outlined. Finally, future perspectives emphasize autonomous smart biorefineries, biotechnology–nanotechnology convergence, and international collaboration supported by open data platforms.

The Sapotaceae family includes various fruit species of ecological, economic, and nutritional importance, among which Pouteria sapota (mamey sapote), Manilkara zapota (zapote chico), Pouteria campechiana (canistel), and Pouteria viridis (zapote verde) stand out, widely distributed throughout Mesoamerica. These species have traditionally been used as a source of food, natural medicine, and other products of cultural value. In recent decades, there has been growing scientific interest in studying their phytochemical composition, which has led to the identification of important secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids, flavonoids, and triterpenes, associated with beneficial health effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the available information on their diversity, traditional use, chemical composition, and biological activities. It also highlights research opportunities aimed at the development of functional products, therapeutic applications, and nutraceuticals, as well as the sustainable use of these species.