Compressed fluids for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, food by-products, seaweeds and microalgae – an update from 2019 to 2023

What if the next blockbuster health ingredient is hiding in your food waste? Compressed fluids are turning discarded peels, seaweed, and microalgae into treasure troves of bioactive compounds.

The hunt for natural ingredients that boost human health is on. Herbs, fruits, vegetables, fungi, and even seaweeds and microalgae are packed with bioactive compounds. But the real twist? Food by-products—often discarded—are emerging as valuable sources too, thanks to eco-friendly extraction methods.

Enter compressed fluids. Techniques like pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and gas-expanded liquids (GXL) are stealing the spotlight. They use pressurized solvents to gently pull out valuable compounds without harsh chemicals or excessive energy. This makes them a win for both science and sustainability.

This review, part of a series running since 2006, tracks the latest advances from 2019 to now. The field hasn't peaked yet—interest in natural bioactives for food is still climbing, and climate concerns make green processes more essential than ever. The result? A growing toolbox for turning biomass into beneficial ingredients.

From lab to industry, compressed fluids are proving their potential. They're not just extracting—they're redefining how we source health from nature.

Key Points

• Compressed fluids extract bioactives from plants, algae, and food waste.
• Methods include PLE, SFE, and gas-expanded liquids.
• Review covers 2019–2023, building on series since 2006.