Enzyme-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Rosa canina L. Pseudofruit in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents: Protease Stability and Biological Activities

What if the key to greener, more powerful plant extracts lies in a humble mix of choline and glycerol? A new study shows this natural deep eutectic solvent can boost enzyme stability by up to 13-fold, unlocking a treasure trove of bioactive compounds from rosehip.

Forget harsh chemicals—scientists are turning to nature's own recipe. In a recent study, researchers used a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES) made of choline chloride and glycerol, with a splash of water, to extract bioactive compounds from the pseudofruit of Rosa canina L., better known as rosehip. The key player? An enzyme called Neutrase®, which usually gives up quickly under heat. But in this NaDES, it became a survivor: at 30–50°C, its half-life stretched up to 13 times longer than in a buffer, thanks to a higher enthalpic barrier against deactivation.

With the enzyme happily stable, the team optimized extraction conditions, achieving impressive yields: 135.75 mg of phenolic compounds and 65.05 mg of flavonoids per gram of dry weight. The resulting extracts weren't just rich—they were potent. They showed enhanced antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-aging, and antibacterial activities, beating enzyme-free extracts across the board. Even better, the optimum extract reduced the viability of A431 skin cancer cells by 27–40%.

This isn't just a lab curiosity. By combining enzyme power with a green solvent, the method offers a sustainable, effective way to produce plant extracts for food, cosmetics, and medicine. The future of extraction might just be a little sweeter—and a lot greener.

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