Advances in phytomolecule isolation: green extraction and high-resolution separation

Coveing: 2012-2026Over the last two decades, the process of isolating plant-derived natural products has undergone a significant transformation, moving from time-consuming, trial-and-error methods to more rational, data-driven, and eco-friendly approaches. This review highlights the technological advances in extraction and high-resolution separation that advances natural product research. It discusses the transition from traditional solvent extraction to sustainable techniques, including the rise of natural deep eutectic solvents and hybrid energy-transfer methods such as ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extraction, which offer higher yields and greater selectivity for thermolabile compounds. The review also covers progress in liquid-liquid partition chromatography, including high-speed countercurrent chromatography and centrifugal partition chromatography for industrial scaling and analytical precision. Additionally, the integration of advanced workflows, such as two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC × LC) and supercritical fluid chromatography, demonstrates the efficiency of modern techniques in addressing prior limitations in yield, selectivity, and solvating capacity, thereby reinforcing the continued importance of natural products in drug discovery.