Advances in obtaining ready to use extracts with natural solvents

What if the most eco-friendly extraction method is the one that skips purification entirely? A new review explores using crude plant extracts directly, without solvent removal.

Plant bioactives are in high demand, but traditional extraction and purification often rely on toxic solvents that must be evaporated, leaving environmental and economic costs. This review highlights a simpler, though not always feasible, approach: using the crude extract or fractions directly, skipping solvent removal altogether. The key is choosing a solvent that is compatible with the final product—water, oil, glycerol, or natural deep eutectic solvents—so it can even add functional benefits. For food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical uses, this strategy reduces unit operations and supports intensification. The authors urge further exploration of this underutilized path to create novel, valuable products while embracing a circular bioeconomy.

Key Points

• Crude extracts can be used directly, skipping solvent removal.
• Solvents like water, oil, glycerol, and NADES are surveyed.
• Reduces unit operations and supports circular bioeconomy.