GLYCEROL-BASED NaDES FOR BIOACTIVE COMPOUND EXTRACTION FROM PRUNUS SPINOSA L. FRUIT: FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND APPLICATION

What if the key to unlocking nature's hidden treasures lies not in harsh chemicals, but in a simple, sweet molecule? Glycerol-based NaDES are emerging as green solvents that could revolutionize how we extract beneficial compounds from plants.

In the quest for sustainable extraction methods, scientists have turned to Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDES) as a promising alternative to traditional organic solvents. This study focused on synthesizing three novel glycerol-based NaDES, using glycerol as the hydrogen bond acceptor paired with different donors: fructose (N1), sucrose (N2), and tartaric acid (N3). The team characterized these solvents by measuring pH, viscosity, conductivity, and stability, alongside Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to confirm their structure.

When applied to blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) fruit, the NaDES showed remarkable potential. N1 achieved the highest total phenolic content at 9.28 mg GAE/g DW, outperforming both the other NaDES and the conventional 70% ethanol solvent. Meanwhile, N3 excelled in flavonoid yield, reaching 3.26 mg CE/g DW. Interestingly, the hydroethanolic extract still boasted the strongest antioxidant activity at 87.89%, as measured by the DPPH assay.

These results, supported by LC-DAD analysis, highlight the versatility of glycerol-based NaDES. They offer a non-toxic, environmentally friendly route to extract bioactive compounds, positioning them as strong candidates for applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The future of green chemistry may well be sweet.

Key Points

• Three glycerol-based NaDES synthesized and characterized
• N1 highest phenolic content (9.28 mg GAE/g DW)
• NaDES show promise as green extraction solvents