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Author Spotlight: Eco-Friendly Extraction of Bioactive Compounds Using Polyol-Based Microwave-Assisted Techniques
Published on: August 23, 2024
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Microwave-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Urtica dioica using solvent-based process optimization and
Anjali Sahal1, Afzal Hussain2, Ritesh Mishra3
1Department of Food Science & Technology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, Uttarakhand, India.
Scientific Reports
|July 14, 2025
Summary
Green technology microwave-assisted extraction effectively isolates bioactive compounds from nettle leaves. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) show promise for high antioxidant and antimicrobial nettle extracts.
Area of Science:
- Green Chemistry and Sustainable Extraction Technologies
- Phytochemistry and Natural Product Analysis
- Food Science and Technology
Background:
- Growing demand for sustainable methods to extract bioactive compounds from plant sources.
- Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves are rich in bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.
- Conventional extraction methods often lack efficiency and employ harsh solvents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) using different solvents for nettle leaf bioactive compounds.
- To optimize extraction parameters (power, time, solvent ratio) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) - Box Behnken Design (BBD).
- To evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the optimized extracts.
Main Methods:
- Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of nettle leaves using water, 80% ethanol, and a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES: ChCl: lactic acid).
- Optimization of extraction parameters using RSM-BBD to maximize total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity.
- Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) and antimicrobial potential against pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, E. coli).
- Chemical profiling of optimized extracts using U-HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS.
Main Results:
- Optimal MAE conditions varied for each solvent, with NADES showing high potential.
- NADES extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity (high TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP values).
- All optimized extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity against tested pathogenic bacteria.
- U-HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS analyses provided insights into the phytochemical composition of the extracts.
Conclusions:
- MAE is a suitable green technology for extracting bioactive compounds from nettle leaves.
- NADES (ChCl: lactic acid) is a highly effective solvent for MAE, yielding extracts with superior antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
- Optimized nettle leaf extracts hold potential for applications in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.
