Green extraction of phenolic compounds from strawberry waste based on natural deep eutectic solvents

What if the secret to greener chemistry lies in strawberry waste? New research shows that natural deep eutectic solvents can unlock valuable antioxidants from this agricultural leftover—without harming the planet.

Strawberry waste, often discarded as trash, is actually a treasure trove of phenolic compounds—natural antioxidants with potential health benefits. But extracting them usually requires harsh organic solvents that harm the environment. Enter NaDES, or Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, a green alternative that is both eco-friendly and highly effective.

In a recent study, scientists compared traditional solvents with various NaDES combinations to pull phenolic compounds from strawberry residues. After optimizing conditions, they found the winning formula: choline chloride combined with lactic acid in a 1:5 ratio, with 30% water. This mixture outperformed conventional solvents, yielding impressive amounts of key compounds—isoquercetin made up about 43% of total polyphenols, followed by hesperidin at 26% and catechin at 11%.

Using HPLC–MS/MS, the team identified and quantified these compounds with precision. The method was also evaluated with the Analytical GREEness calculator, showing that NaDES can match traditional extraction performance while dramatically reducing environmental impact. This approach aligns perfectly with the principles of green chemistry and the circular economy, turning waste into value without compromise.

Key Points

• NaDES outperform traditional solvents for phenolic extraction.
• ChCl:LA (1:5, 30% water) gives best yields.
• Isoquercetin, hesperidin, catechin dominate polyphenol profile.