GREEN EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS FROM Phoenix dactylifera (L.) SEEDS USING NADES: APPLICATIONS IN FUNCTIONAL FOOD INGREDIENTS

What if the date seeds you toss away could become the next superfood ingredient? Scientists are turning this agro-waste into a goldmine of bioactive compounds using green chemistry.

Date seeds, often discarded as agro-industrial waste, are actually packed with valuable bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids, and phytosterols. But extracting them usually requires harsh solvents. Enter Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES)—a green, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternative that is changing the game.

This review highlights how NADES, when paired with advanced techniques like ultrasound or microwave assistance, can efficiently pull out these compounds. For example, choline chloride and lactic acid with ultrasound works wonders for polyphenols, while menthol and eucalyptol with heating-stirring is ideal for phytosterols. Even carotenoids can be extracted using octanoic acid and L-proline under controlled conditions.

The real payoff? Extracts from choline chloride and ethylene glycol show promise in functional foods, like preserving fish. Polyphenol-rich extracts extended the shelf life of Nile tilapia fillets stored at 4°C for up to 10 days. This is green chemistry in action, turning waste into sustainable ingredients for tomorrow's food.

Key Points

• NADES are green, biodegradable, cost-effective solvents
• Combined with UAE, MAE, HSAE boost extraction efficiency
• Polyphenol extracts extend tilapia fillet shelf life to 10 days