Cross-Meta-Analysis on Policosanol Biorefining: An Innovative Technology Prospecting Protocol With Ibero-American Insights

This Cross-Meta-Analysis, based on PROSPERO Protocol (CRD42023425955), addresses two gaps by conducting a regionalized and simultaneous analysis of articles and patents on the six main Policosanol biorefining routes - a multifunctional antihypercholesterolemic - within the dual context of the burgeoning global bioeconomy and strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide. Most reviews focus on clinical applications, without comparing extraction methods and evaluating their uncertainties. This study employs extensive databases, and high-end bibliometric tools such as Bibliometrix and Orbit Business Intelligence, while examining 18 Ibero-American countries. The main inferences on efficiencies are the advances of Cuba, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Portugal, as well as the need for greater academic-industrial coordination amongst themselves. Covering 16 raw materials, highlighting lacquer wax, sugar cane wax, rice bran wax and Ericerus Pela wax, yield analysis reveals: High (0.511 ≤ yield ≤ 0.700): three methods; Moderate (0.381 ≤ yield ≤ 0.510): four methods; Low (0.251 ≤ yield ≤ 0.380): seven methods. These yields signal clear directions for further research, according to biomes and local costs, being useful as a guide for laboratory research, industrial applications and decision makers.