Applying a competitive technology intelligence methodology for avocado seed analysis: trends and applications

Abstract

The avocado fruit is among the world's most cultivated crops due to increasing market demand. According to FAOSTAT (2021), annual global production reached 8.69 million tons in 2021. The pulp is the primary product of interest, and avocado processing results in 2.42 million tons of byproducts, mainly seeds and peels, constituting around 30% of the weight (Araújo et al., 2018). Despite their valuable biochemical properties and potential applications, avocado seeds are often overlooked and discarded. This thesis employs a Competitive Technology Intelligence (CTI) methodology to uncover trends and applications through scientific literature and patent analysis. A query was developed through iterative expert feedback, and data published between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, was collected from major scientific and patent databases. After rigorous deduplication and manual verification, 278 scientific publications and 228 patents were analyzed. The scientific publications were categorized into areas such as Agricultural Applications, Environmental Applications, Health Applications, and Industrial Applications. Each of these categories was further divided into multiple subcategories to provide deeper insights. In contrast, patents were categorized into areas that reflect their unique aspects and applications, such as Cosmetic and Personal Care Applications, Environmental and Sustainable Technologies, Equipment and Devices, among others. This research highlighted notable progress in the use of avocado seeds across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, bioenergy, pollution control, materials development, and food and packaging products. The countries with the most academic and scientific publications were Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Colombia, and India. The intellectual property offices with the most published patents were the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This research highlights the potential of avocado seeds as a multifunctional resource that can contribute to economic growth while addressing environmental challenges. The findings aim to support and guide Research and Development activities in businesses and academic institutions regarding investment in technologies that harness the value of avocado seeds, potentially leading to sustainable industry practices and innovative product development.