Current Progress in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Active Components from Plants

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Solvent Technology
• Phytochemistry

Background:

• Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are gaining prominence as eco-friendly alternatives.
• They are formed from hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and acceptors (HBAs), offering tunable properties.
• NADESs exhibit low toxicity and biodegradability, aligning with sustainable chemistry principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review preparation methods and interaction mechanisms of NADESs.
• To explore the application of NADESs in extracting active components from medicinal plants.
• To discuss factors influencing NADES extraction efficiency and potential for combined technologies.

Main Methods:

• Summarization of six NADES preparation techniques.
• Review of intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, van der Waals forces).
• Analysis of extraction parameters and synergistic technologies (e.g., molecular imprinting).

Main Results:

• NADESs demonstrate significant extraction capacity for flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, and plant pigments.
• Key extraction factors include solvent properties, water content, temperature, time, and solid-liquid ratio.
• Integration with technologies like molecular imprinting enhances extraction specificity.

Conclusions:

• NADESs are versatile solvents for active component extraction from medicinal plants.
• Optimization of extraction conditions and solvent properties is crucial for efficiency.
• Urgent need for further research on NADES biodegradability and biotoxicity is highlighted.