Chemical and bioactivity profiling of extractives from tropical wood residues: Ipe, Merbau, and Jatoba

Wood residues and by-products from the furniture industry represent an underutilized resource with strong potential for integration into circular economy strategies. Extractives derived from these materials are rich in bioactive compounds, making them attractive candidates for bio-based product development. Although the functional properties of wood extractives are well recognized, their systematic recovery and characterization remain insufficiently explored in the context of green chemistry and sustainability. This study investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of extractives obtained from industrial residues of three tropical hardwoods: Ipe ( Handroanthus spp.), Merbau ( Intsia spp.), and Jatoba ( Hymenaea courbaril ). Extractives were obtained via Pressurized Solvent Extraction (PSE) and characterized using gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS). Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was subsequently applied for bioactivity evaluation. Green metrics, including the simple E-factor (sEF) and unit energy (UEC), were calculated to assess basic environmental efficiency. Gravimetric results showed a predominance of hydrophilic fractions (up to 97 % in Merbau), with major constituents including phenolics, fatty acids, flavonoids, and resin acids. Merbau and Jatoba extracts exhibited strong antioxidant capacity (IC 50 < 75 μg/mL), while preliminary antimicrobial screening indicated selective activity of Merbau and Ipe against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis , with Ipe also inhibiting Streptococcus pyogenes . These findings highlight tropical wood residues as renewable sources of bioactive compounds and support their valorisation in sustainable bio-based applications. • UAE showed lower energy demand, while PSE reduced waste per g extract. • Hydrophilic extractives dominated; Merbau showed the highest flavonoid levels. • Merbau and Jatoba showed strong antioxidant activity (IC 50 < 75 μg/mL). • Selective inhibition of Staphylococcus spp. was observed for Ipe and Merbau. • Tropical wood residues demonstrated multifunctional bioactive potential.