Extraction efficiency and greenness matrices evaluation of various extraction processes for the recovery of bioactive compounds from Paeonia emodi: A comparative study

What if the secret to unlocking the power of Himalayan paeony lies not in harsh chemicals, but in a simple sugar and salt mixture? A new study reveals a green extraction method that boosts antioxidant yields while being kind to the planet.

Deep in the Himalayas, a flower holds potent bioactive compounds. But extracting them has often relied on harsh organic solvents. Now, researchers have compared various methods and found a champion: a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) made of choline chloride and sucrose, combined with ultrasound assistance. This green duo dramatically outperformed traditional solvents, yielding the highest amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants. It also effectively inhibited enzymes linked to aging, like tyrosinase and hyaluronidase. The method allowed precise quantification of ten polyphenolic compounds and impressive yields of paeoniflorin (23.62 mg/g) and albiflorin (5.38 mg/g). Statistical analyses confirmed its superiority, and green metrics scored it highly—0.70 on AGREE and 85 on GAPI. This simple, sustainable approach could revolutionize how we extract bioactive compounds for nutraceuticals and phyto-cosmetics.

Key Points

• NADES (choline chloride + sucrose) with ultrasound boosts polyphenol yield.
• Highest paeoniflorin yield: 23.62 mg/g DW.
• Green metrics: AGREE 0.70, GAPI 85.