Development of a Green Extraction Process from Residues of Assyrtiko Wine Production for Cosmetic Applications

What if the leftover grape skins from your favorite wine could become the next anti-aging ingredient? For the famed Assyrtiko grape of Santorini, that's not just a dream—it's a green chemistry breakthrough.

The Assyrtiko grape, a star of Santorini's volcanic soils, produces wine—and a mountain of residue. But this so-called waste is actually a treasure trove of bioactive polyphenols, natural compounds that cosmetics love. The challenge? Extracting them without harming the planet. Enter Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, or NaDES—eco-friendly liquids made from natural ingredients like betaine and propanediol. In this study, scientists created four NaDES and put them to work on the grape residue. The betaine-propanediol combo won, pulling out the most phenolics and flavonoids. Using a clever statistical design, they optimized the process, finding that the NaDES concentration in water was the key factor for extract quality. The result? An extract that stayed stable even after long storage, suggesting NaDES shields these delicate phytochemicals from degradation—a huge win for shelf life and energy efficiency. Best of all, this extract slipped seamlessly into a moisturizer, which remained smooth and stable, proving that wine waste can truly become a cosmetic superstar.

Key Points

• NaDES from betaine and propanediol best extracts polyphenols from wine residue.
• NaDES concentration in water is the key factor for extract quality.
• Extract stays stable and works in a moisturizer, proving cosmetic potential.