The proximate composition, mineral contents and fatty acid composition of different parts (peel, pulp and seeds) of seven tropical fruits were evaluated. Beyond that, this study aims to evaluate the effect of drying processing on peels. Pulp and peel showed highest moisture values (65.7-93.3%), while the seed ranged from 5.8 to 67.2%. The drying processing of peels decreased moisture values (2.3-18.7%). Furthermore, drying processing did not affect ash contents, total crude protein, lipids and fiber values and fatty acid composition for avocado, pineapple, banana, papaya, passion fruit, watermelon and melon. A wide range of mineral contents was noted in different parts of fruit and calcium and potassium were found in larger quantities (25.4 to 4808 mg per 100 g). The fruits exhibited essential fatty acids as omega-6 and omega-3 with the largest contents observed in the peels and seeds (31.4 to 1970 mg per 100 g).

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Thermosensitive hydrogels based on chitosan/pectin (CS/Pec) and CS/Pec/gold nanoparticles (CS/Pec/AuNPs) were successfully prepared with different AuNP levels. Using a tilting method, gelation temperature was demonstrated to decrease when the amount of AuNPs increased and pectin concentrations decreased. The presence of AuNPs in the CS/Pec composite was evaluated via WAXS and UV-vis techniques, while SEM analysis assessed the average size of pores (350-600μm). All samples were extremely cytocompatible with many cell types, such as normal kidney epithelial cells (VERO cells), epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29 cells), HPV-16 positive human cervical tumour cells (SiHa cells), kidney epithelial cells (LLCMK cells) and murine macrophage cells (J774A1 cells). Cell viability assays using the MTT method upon mouse preosteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1 cells) showed that CS/Pec and CS/Pec/AuNPs composites had the potential to foster proliferation and growth of bone cells, making them possible stimulators for reconstruction of bone tissues.