A review of green solvents for the extraction and separation of bioactive ingredients from natural products

Abstract

Bioactive substances from natural products are good resources from the pharmaceutical and food industries. Conventional organic solvents are widely used for extracting and separating bioactive substances. Recently, various environmentally friendly solvents have been developed and applied in the separation field to replace conventional organic solvents. This review focuses on environmentally friendly solvents for the extraction and separation technologies that meet the requirements of green chemistry. The classifications, applications, influencing factors, and mechanisms involved in the extraction processes using these green solvents are also discussed. Green solvent-based extraction systems are promising alternatives to traditional organic solvents. Green solvents are mild and non-destructive to the active compounds during their application and have negligible effects on the ecosystem when discharged. The use of green solvents for the extraction and separation of active ingredients in natural products is attracting attention because of their low environmental impact and sustainability.

Keywords: Bioactive ingredients; Extraction; Green solvents; Natural products; Plant resources; Separation.