Search Results (437)

The rising amount of food industry waste has sparked interest in its valorization as a source of bioactive compounds. This study combines bibliometric analysis and a systematic review to map the scientific literature on the recovery of bioactive compounds from food byproducts, focusing on green extraction strategies and their alignment with the principles of the circular economy. A total of 176 documents, published between 2015 and 2025, were analyzed. The analysis shows significant growth after 2020 and highlights bioactive compounds, extraction, and the circular economy as the primary research themes. Italy, Spain, and Brazil emerged as the leading countries in scientific production. The systematic review covers green extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and natural deep eutectic solvent extraction (NADES). UAE- and NADES-based processes were the most frequently applied extraction techniques, mainly targeting phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Significant progress has been observed, particularly in the advancement of extraction technologies, in the recovery of key bioactive compounds, and in their industrial applications. These methods recover phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties, which have potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biodegradable packaging. Nutraceuticals and functional foods represent the main application areas, followed by cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Despite progress, challenges remain, including scalability, equipment costs, solvent recovery, and process standardization. The green extraction of bioactive compounds from food byproducts shows promise and can support the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Background: Despite extensive phytochemical research on white tea varieties, flavonoid profiling in Baihao Yinzhen remains scarce. The development of green and efficient extraction methods is essential to facilitate its potential application in cosmetic formulations. Methods: A deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasound-assisted extraction (DES-UAE) was developed for Baihao Yinzhen flavonoids. After screening of 14 DESs and optimizing the conditions via single-factor and response surface methodology, the extracts were analyzed by UPLC-MS. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells by measuring TNF-α and IL-6 levels, with molecular docking simulating flavonoid–cytokine interactions; Results: Among 14 tested deep eutectic solvents, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/lactic acid (HP-β-CD/La) was identified as the most effective solvent for flavonoid extraction. Under optimized conditions (HBD/HBA mass ratio 3:1, temperature 60 °C, water content 40%, solid–liquid ratio 1:19, extraction time 62 min), the maximum flavonoid yield reached 108.72 mg RE/g DW. The DES extract (2.5 μg/mL) significantly suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells compared to the water extract. UPLC-MS identified five major flavonoid glycosides, and molecular docking revealed their strong binding affinities with TNF-α and IL-6 proteins. Conclusions: DES-UAE provides an efficient green method for flavonoid extraction. The extract demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity, supporting its potential as a natural cosmetic ingredient. This study aimed to develop an efficient and green DES-UAE method for the extraction of flavonoids from Baihao Yinzhen, in order to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract and to explore the potential interaction mechanisms of key flavonoids with inflammatory targets via molecular docking. Full article

Novel nanocomposites based on carbon black or multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic groups and Neutral red electropolymerized from reline were obtained in a one-step protocol and used for DNA biosensor development. The synthesis was carried out in potentiodynamic mode in a deep eutectic solvent reline consisting of a mixture of choline chloride and urea. The nanocomposite based on carbon black and poly(Neutral red) was applied for a voltammetric DNA biosensor developed to discriminate DNA damage. The sensor developed allowed the native, thermally denatured, and chemically oxidized DNA discrimination with either current changes or peak potential shifts. The nature of the DNA used had affected the sensor’s analytical response value. The DNA biosensor suggested was tested for the assessment of antioxidant capacity in such beverages as tea, coffee, white wine, and fruit-based drink purchased from local market. Simple, fast, and inexpensive approach of sensor modifying layer assembly would be demanded in control of food products and beverages quality, as well as for medical purposes. Full article

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) represent novel biodegradable green extraction solvents obtained from natural metabolites such as sugars and organic acids. NaDES-based extracts have demonstrated better performance in in vitro assays compared to those obtained using conventional solvents. In this study, extracts of bilberry leaves (BL), bilberry fruits (BF), and green tea leaves (TL) were prepared using the following NaDES, respectively—malic acid + glycerol (MG), citric acid + sorbitol (CS), and tartaric acid + sorbitol (TS), whose formation was confirmed via FTIR spectroscopy. With the aim to evaluate the effect of gels loaded with NaDES extracts on skin biophysical parameters 2 h prior their application, as well as their anti-irritation potential against sodium lauryl sulfate–induced irritation, an in vivo study involving human volunteers was conducted. The results indicated that all extract-loaded gels exhibited notable anti-irritation potential, reducing artificially induced irritation and improving elevated skin parameters including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (EI), and pH. The ΔTEWL at CS–BF site was 8.20 ± 0.34, while at TS–TL was 5.63 ± 0.30. The short-term efficacy study revealed increased skin hydration across all treated sites, preservation of skin pH within physiological limits, and reduction in EI at the site treated with TS–TL gel. Further in vivo studies are planned for confirming long-term skin effects. Full article

In recent years, research and development in the field of green extraction of bioactive compounds from plants has intensified. This increased focus is driven by market trends, environmental concerns, and consumers’ growing interest in natural and healthy ingredients, as well as bioactive compounds. This development aligns with a global trend toward more sustainable use of natural resources. In this context, macroalgae have been recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with various health benefits. These molecules include proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and pigments. Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are pigments and metabolites of particular interest that can be extracted from microalgae. This group of colored proteins, mainly present in cyanobacteria and red algae, is known to have a wide range of potential applications. However, conventional methods for extracting PBPs, such as homogenization, maceration, and freezing, are time-consuming and energy-intensive, often producing unsatisfactory yields. As a result, new extraction technologies have been developed, including ultrasound-assisted extraction, ionic liquid extraction methods, and the use of natural deep eutectic solvents. This review summarizes existing green processes for extracting and purifying PBPs, with the aim of enabling feasible and sustainable valorization of algae. Specifically, it covers various extraction and purification techniques of PBPs, as well as the effects of environmental growth conditions on the production of these metabolites. It also highlights the biological and pharmacological activities of PBPs and explores their potential applications in the food, cosmetic, and biomedical sectors. Full article

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDESs) have emerged as green and sustainable alternative solvents for extracting valuable bioactive compounds from agro-industrial by-products. NaDESs are stable, soluble, and biodegradable with low melting points and a wide range of applications. These characteristics align closely with the principles of green chemistry, making NaDESs promising for use in the food industry. Recent studies demonstrate that NaDESs can effectively extract proteins, polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, and other bioactives from sources such as vegetable waste, cereal by-products, and fruit pomace, often performing better than traditional solvents such as methanol and ethanol. The bioactive components of these extracts may exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anticancer, or antimicrobial activity and can be used as functional ingredients, nutraceuticals, or preservatives. Furthermore, NaDES-derived extracts have been shown to have hypoglycemic effects by inhibiting enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and reducing oxidative stress. As a result, they may find use as functional food ingredients in diabetes management. This review presents the recent research on the extraction of bioactive compounds from agro-industrial by-products using NaDESs and an evaluation of their antidiabetic potential. Full article

NADESs represent a modern class of extraction media that align with the principles of green chemistry. They are considered non-toxic and biodegradable, but relatively little is known about their biological activity. This study investigated the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of 40 NADESs. The systems were developed from primary (PRIM) based on choline chloride (ChCl), and specialized (HEVO) plant-derived metabolites, particularly based on thymol and menthol. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric tests. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method. The data obtained were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). NADESs based on PRIM exhibited negligible antioxidant activity and relatively low antimicrobial activity. By contrast, NADESs containing HEVO, particularly thymol-based systems, indicated significant antioxidant activity, with stronger activity observed at higher molar proportions of thymol. In the 1,8-cineole:thymol system, ABTS activity ranged from 167.37 ± 24.17 to 861.25 ± 33.03 mg Trolox equivalents/mL NADES (molar ratios 9:1 and 1:9, respectively). The 1,8-cineole:thymol system (1:9) also showed strong antimicrobial activity, with a maximum inhibition zone of 39.33 ± 2.52 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. In summary, NADESs based on HEVO exhibit significantly stronger biological activity than those containing only PRIM. Full article

The green husk of Juglans regia L. is rich in bioactive phytochemicals and exhibits various biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the skin anti-aging potential of the green husk of J. regia by determining the optimal extraction conditions using a Box–Behnken Design (BBD), targeting elastase inhibition, and by correlating variations in phenolic compounds identified through metabolomic analyses with changes in the extraction conditions. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction was employed along with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). Three levels of three independent variables (NADES/H₂O ratio, temperature, and extraction time) were incorporated into the BBD. Phenolic compounds were determined semi-quantitatively using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-q-TOF/MS), while elastase inhibition was evaluated by spectroscopic methods. Quadratic response surface models were proposed based on the BBD model adequacy test using multiple regression analysis. It was determined that the optimum conditions for maximizing phenolic content and elastase inhibition were 99.79% ethanol, 51.30 °C temperature, and 49.58 min, in which case the desirability score was 1. Metabolomic analysis identified 41 phenolic compounds across 27 ontological groups, with 24 compounds showing a semi-quantitative increase. Consequently, the waste green husk of J. regia demonstrated enhanced anti-aging potential due to the higher content and diversity of phenolic compounds. Full article

Oleanolic acid (OA)-stabilized water-in-oil Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as the internal phase (HIPE-NADES), were developed to enhance OA bioavailability. Three kinds of NADESs (proline: sorbitol (1:1), proline: glucose (1:1), and proline: glucose (5:3)) were selected, and HIPEs with pure water as the internal phase were used as the control group. In vitro digestion and Caco-2 models showed that HIPE-NADES significantly improved OA bioaccessibility via enhanced stability and solubility. Crucially, OA bioavailability reached 16.20–19.10%, markedly surpassing controls (p ≤ 0.05), indicating that NADESs’ hydrogen-bonding network facilitates intestinal uptake. In a t-BHP-induced Caco-2 oxidative stress model, OA-loaded HIPE-NADES significantly attenuated damage, reducing MDA and ROS while elevating GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD activities and GSH levels (p ≤ 0.05). NADESs themselves contributed substantially to antioxidant efficacy. HIPE-NADESs represent an effective platform for enhancing the bioavailability and bioactivity of hydrophobic phytochemicals like OA, enabling simpler and more stable delivery systems. Full article

UV radiation is responsible for acute and chronic adverse effects on the skin. In recent years, it has been shown that various phenolic acids, particularly cinnamic acid derivatives, prevent some of these effects. In the present study, the design and synthesis of three esters of ferulic acid, analogues of the octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), one of the most commercially used filters, are presented. The esters were evaluated for their photoprotective activity against UVA and UVB radiation. The ester 3b exhibited an SPF of 9.22 and a λ_c value of 343.9, higher than the values of OMC (SPF value: 8.19, λ_c value: 337.7). The development and optimization of a novel encapsulation process of the synthesized esters in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and coating of the NLCs with chitosan was also performed. The optimization of the coating processes was performed using a Box–Behnken experimental design. The optimal nanosystems exhibited a size of 117.0 ± 5 nm, enhanced stability in dispersion, and 78% encapsulation efficiency. The nanoparticles were characterized by ATR/FT–IR, TGA, and TEM. Incorporation of the nanoparticle dispersions in a sunscreen formulation increased the SPF factor of the formulation up to 48%. The esters and nanosystems also showed a satisfactory ability to inhibit the peroxidation of linoleic acid (AAPH induced lipid peroxidation assay) (74–91% inhibition). Full article

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) processing generates peel and core by-product fractions that are underexploited resources with untapped potential for valorization in sustainable food systems. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction was performed using several choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES, six formulations with distinct hydrogen-bond donors) and compared with 70% (v/v) ethanol. Extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and individual phenolic compounds by LC-MS/MS, and their bioaccessibility was determined through a standardized in vitro digestion model. Organic acid-based NADES, particularly ChCl:MA (2:1) and ChCl:LA (1:1), yielded significantly higher phenolic contents from the peel than ethanol (up to ~45% increase, p < 0.05), and ChCl:MA maintained superior antioxidant capacity after digestion. In the core fraction, glucose- and glycerol-based NADES promoted the release of bound phenolics, resulting in bioaccessibility values exceeding 100%, indicating the release of previously bound phenolics under digestive conditions. The present study provides novel insights into the effects of NADES on both extraction efficiency and digestibility of quince by-products. These findings highlight quince peel and core as promising raw materials for developing functional food and nutraceutical ingredients, thereby offering a feasible strategy for upcycling fruit-processing residues into health-promoting applications. Full article

Heterologous protein expression underpins the production of therapeutics, industrial enzymes, and diagnostic reagents, yet persistent challenges remain in enhancing yields, achieving correct folding, and reducing the costs and environmental burdens of downstream processing. Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs)—a class of biocompatible, sustainable, and highly tunable solvents—have recently emerged as promising tools to overcome these limitations. This review systematically examines the intersection of recombinant protein production and NADES technology, assessing their applications across the full workflow, from host strain expression to purification and final formulation. Literature analysis highlights the potential of NADESs as media additives that mitigate cellular stress and improve soluble protein yields, as gentle solubilizing and refolding agents for inclusion bodies, as phase-forming components in aqueous two-phase systems for green purification, and as stabilizing excipients for long-term storage. Key constituents such as betaine, proline, urea, and arginine are identified as functional agents whose eutectic mixtures often deliver synergistic benefits that differ mechanistically from the action of the individual components. The integration of NADESs into recombinant protein production offers a path toward more sustainable and economically viable biomanufacturing. Critical gaps remain, including in vivo validation and techno-economic assessment. Future opportunities include high-throughput NADES screening and computational design of application-specific solvents. Full article

The demand for sustainable methods to extract bioactive compounds from native fruits is increasing. We evaluated the potential of natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to recover phenolic compounds from Ugni molinae Turcz. (murta), a Chilean fruit with recognized ethnopharmacological and antioxidant value. Seven choline chloride-based NaDESs (M1–M7) were assessed and compared with conventional methanol: formic acid extraction (M8). The choline chloride: 1,2-propanediol system (1:2, M2) achieved the highest recovery of total phenolics (64.87 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (35.38 mg QE/g), together with strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 1.05 µg/mL; ORAC: 40,291 µmol TE/g). When comparing the different NaDES formulations (M1–M8), M8 displayed superior FRAP and ORAC values, although its phenolic and flavonoid yields were lower, reflecting differences in solvent selectivity. HPLC-DAD analysis further revealed that NaDES, particularly M5 (choline chloride: oxalic acid, 1:1), favored the extraction of flavonoid and anthocyanin-type compounds. Multivariate and PCA analyses showed distinct chemical profiles in NaDES extracts, forming two clusters apart from M8. Pearson correlation analysis linked antioxidant capacity with major flavonoids. Overall, NaDES combined with UAE represents an efficient, green strategy for selectively recovering bioactives, supporting applications in foods, nutraceuticals, and health products from Chilean native fruits. Full article

Chitin, one of the most abundant natural polysaccharides, has gained increasing attention for its structural diversity and potential in biomedicine, agriculture, food packaging, and advanced materials. Conventional chitin production from crustacean shell waste faces limitations, including seasonal availability, allergenic protein contamination, heavy metal residues, and environmentally harmful demineralization processes. Chitin from fungi and microalgae provides a sustainable and chemically versatile alternative. Fungal chitin, generally present in the α-polymorph, is embedded in a chitin–glucan–protein matrix that ensures high crystallinity, mechanical stability, and compatibility for biomedical applications. Microalgal β-chitin, particularly from diatoms, is secreted as high-aspect-ratio microrods and nanofibrils with parallel chain packing, providing enhanced reactivity and structural integrity that are highly attractive for functional materials. Recent progress in green extraction technologies, including enzymatic treatments, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents, enables the recovery of chitin with reduced environmental burden while preserving its native morphology. By integrating sustainable sources with environmentally friendly processing methods, fungal and microalgal chitin offer unique structural polymorphs and tunable properties, positioning them as a promising alternative to crustacean-derived chitin. Full article

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) were synthesized from food-grade components and evaluated as green extractants for the simultaneous recovery and liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (LC–Q-Orbitrap-MS) analysis of biopesticide residues in a complex matrix like honey. Conventional solid–liquid extraction (SLE) was applied, initially using choline chloride-2,3-butanediol (1:4, molar ratio) as the NADES extractant solvent, before systematically evaluating other NADES formulations. Extraction parameters, such as time (10 min, 20 min, and 30 min), technique (rotary mixing vs. sonication), and NADES composition, namely lactic acid–glucose–water (LGH, 5:1:9, molar ratio), lactic acid–glycerol–water (LGLH, 1:1:3, molar ratio), urea–glycerol–water (UGLH, 1:1:2, molar ratio), and choline chloride–2,3-butanediol (ChClBt, 1:4, molar ratio), were systematically optimized. Rotating agitation for 10 min yielded the highest overall recoveries and was therefore selected as the optimal extraction time. Rotary shaking was chosen over sonication due to its superior performance across both simple and complex matrices. Among the NADES tested, UGLH proved to be the most effective composition for the honey matrix. The analytical method was validated for the honey matrix. Linearity showed excellent performance across the tested concentration range, with R² values above 0.95 for all analytes. Matrix effects were within ±20% for nearly half of the compounds, while a few exhibited moderate matrix enhancement. Recoveries ranged from 50.1% to 120.5% at 500 µg/kg and 1000 µg/kg, demonstrating acceptable extraction performance. Intra-day and inter-day precision showed relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 20% for most analytes. Limits of quantification (LOQs) were established at 500 µg/kg for eight compounds based on recovery and precision criteria. These results confirm the suitability of the proposed NADES-based method for sensitive and reliable analysis of biopesticide residues in honey. When compared to conventional extraction methods, the proposed NADES-based protocol proved to be a greener alternative, achieving the highest AGREEprep score due to its use of non-toxic solvents, lower waste generation, and overall sustainability. Full article