Bibliometric Mapping of Mangrove Leaf Bioactive Compounds for Agricultural and Postharvest Applications: Highlighting the Potential for Sprout Inhibition

Abstract

Research on bioactive compounds in mangrove leaves has grown rapidly, but remains heavily focused on pharmacological applications such as antioxidants and antibacterial agents. Its potential in agricultural technology, particularly as a natural sprout inhibitor for postharvest preservation, has yet to be fully explored. This study aims to map the global research landscape and identify research gaps regarding the use of mangrove leaf extracts for sprout inhibition. Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 67 documents curated from the Scopus database (up to 2026). Data visualization and keyword co-occurrence mapping were performed using VOSviewer software. The analysis shows that the research cluster is dominated by the themes “antibacterial activity” and “antioxidant.” Although the term “sprout inhibitor” is almost absent, “allelopathy” emerges as a significant bridging topic (Link Strength: 18) and is strongly linked to Avicennia marina. Overlay visualization indicates that allelopathy research peaked around 2015 (green cluster), suggesting untapped potential for modern postharvest applications. This study confirms the existence of a significant knowledge gap in the application of mangrove bioactive compounds for sprout inhibition. These findings provide a strategic foundation for future laboratory research aimed at developing plant-based sprout inhibitors to support sustainable postharvest technologies and the downstream processing of local commodities.