Coupling deep eutectic solvents with innovative extraction techniques towards plant derived bioactive compositions

Abstract

The steadily increasing interest of food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries for bioactive compounds of natural origin has resulted in a growing demand for the development of novel and effective approaches for their isolation from various plant matrices. In this view, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) constitute an alternative to conventional organic ones, based on their green nature, biodegradability and their adjustable physicochemical properties depending on the application. The combination of DESs with innovative extraction techniques, such as ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction, super- and sub-critical fluid extraction, as well as other non-thermal technologies, is a promising approach for the recovery of bioactive compounds from plants. This coupling offers several advantages including improved selectivity as well as increased extraction yields with a concomitant reduced extraction duration. The present review gives an overview of the evolution, the current status and future trends regarding the use of DESs as extraction solvents in combination with innovative extraction techniques towards the recovery of valuable compounds from natural sources for novel laboratory and industrial applications. The challenges regarding the use of DESs as well as the sustainability of the DES-innovative extraction processes are also presented and critically discussed.