Valorization of fruit pits from <scp> <i>Prunus laurocerasus</i> </scp> and <scp> <i>Prunus cerasifera</i> </scp> as agro‐food byproducts: Bioactive properties and safety assessment for potential food additive applications

BACKGROUND: Food additives are widely used to extend the shelf life of foods and maintain their quality. In this study, the potential of Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus cerasifera fruit pits (endocarp and seed) as food additives was investigated in terms of cytotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, antioxidant activity, enzymatic anti-browning, and urease enzyme inhibition, and their phytochemical contents were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: extract) detected in the endocarp of P. cerasifera. CONCLUSION: Overall, according to the conducted cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays, P. laurocerasus and P. cerasifera fruit pits were found to be safe, rich in bioactive phytochemicals, and exhibited strong antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities, highlighting their potential as sustainable functional ingredients or natural food additives. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.