Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) as a Multifunctional Crop: Nutraceutical, Medicinal, and Bioenergy Perspectives. A Comprehensive Review
TL;DR
Roselle has strong potential as a renewable energy crop, with its sugar rich biomass serving as a suitable feedstock for bioethanol production and its oil rich seeds offering prospects for biodiesel generation.
Abstract
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a widely cultivated plant valued for its red calyces used in beverages and foods such as juice, wine, jam, syrup, and tea. It contains bioactive compounds including phenolics and flavonoids that confer antioxidant, antibacterial, and other medicinal properties, supporting its use in treating ailments like hypertension and liver disorders. Recently, it has gained attention for industrial and bioenergy applications, highlighting its potential as a multifunctional crop. Despite growing interest, research on roselle’s nutritional, pharmacological, and energy applications across different processing methods and regions remains fragmented. Inconsistent yield reporting and the lack of standardized assessment frameworks further limit comparability and scalability. This review therefore synthesizes current knowledge on roselle’s nutraceutical, medicinal, and bioenergy potential while identifying key research gaps and future opportunities for its sustainable utilization. Following a systematic search of major scientific databases, a total of 102 publications from June 2003 to January 2026 were identified, of which 90 were selected and synthesized to provide a comprehensive assessment of the topic. The selected studies examine the nutritional, pharmacological, and bioenergy attributes of H. sabdariffa, highlighting its potential as a multifunctional crop for food, health, and sustainable energy applications. Roselle has strong potential as a renewable energy crop, with its sugar rich biomass serving as a suitable feedstock for bioethanol production and its oil rich seeds offering prospects for biodiesel generation. Roselle derived biofuels can support sustainable energy development by providing renewable alternatives to fossil fuels while promoting environmental conservation. Its dual role as a health-promoting plant and bioenergy resource makes it valuable for food, health, and energy applications. Future research should focus on standardized comparisons, large-scale optimization, and techno-economic assessments to enable sustainable commercialization.