Eco-Friendly Extraction: Innovations, Principles, and Comparison with Traditional Methods
Geetika Shrivastav, Thakur Prava Jyoti, Shivani Chandel, Rajveer Singh
Abstract
A major area of current research in the interdisciplinary fields of applied chemistry, biology, and technology is the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods for extracting natural products. The goal of “green” extraction of natural products is to minimize or eliminate altogether the need for energy and solvents derived from petroleum in the extraction process. These innovative extraction methods cover a variety of techniques, such as cold atmospheric plasma extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. This review delves into the six key principles of extraction and explores various eco-friendly extraction methods, highlighting their advantages in contrast to conventional extraction techniques. Additionally, it provides an overview of preliminary studies conducted on various plant parts using these sustainable extraction procedures.