Advanced extraction to targeted delivery: A holistic review of technological innovations and therapeutic mechanisms of Ginkgo biloba extract

What if a single plant could unlock a treasure trove of compounds—and green chemistry just made it easier? A new study dives into the chemical riches of a Chilean lichen, revealing how modern extraction methods can match or even surpass traditional ones.

Deep inside the Chilean forests, a lichen named Sticta caulescens hides a chemical universe. Researchers set out to map it, comparing two extraction techniques: the classic methanol maceration and a microwave-assisted method using ethyl lactate, a greener solvent. The results? Both methods uncovered a stunning diversity of metabolites—32 from maceration and 33 from microwave extraction—spanning carbohydrates, aromatic compounds, acids, depsides, depsidones, dibenzofurans, lipids, anthraquinones, and triterpenes. Interestingly, maceration yielded a slightly higher extract percentage (6.3% vs 5.0%), but microwave extraction with ethyl lactate pulled out an almost identical spectrum, plus one unique compound only seen under those conditions. This highlights how green chemistry can be both efficient and selective. Beyond the lab, the study delved into chemoinformatics and chemotaxonomy, comparing 12 Sticta species using computational tools like Morgan fingerprints and hierarchical clustering. It revealed that S. caulescens is one of the most chemically diverse species, closely related to S. cordillerana, and part of a major lineage rich in aromatic and depsidone pathways. This isn't just about one lichen—it's a window into how nature's chemistry can be unlocked sustainably.

Key Points

• 32 metabolites from maceration, 33 from microwave extraction.
• Green solvent ethyl lactate matches methanol, plus one unique compound.
• S. caulescens shows high chemical diversity among 12 Sticta species.