Innovative Green Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Chicory (Cichorium Intybus) Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

What if the secret to unlocking chicory's medicinal power lies not in harsh chemicals, but in nature's own green solvents? Scientists just proved it—with ultrasound and a dash of ingenuity.

Chicory isn't just a coffee substitute. This unassuming plant packs a punch of antioxidants, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory compounds—especially flavonoids and phenolic acids. But extracting these treasures has always relied on toxic solvents. Until now.

Enter Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES): non-toxic, green, and surprisingly effective. Researchers tested five different NADES against conventional solvents like 70% ethanol, methanol, and water, using ultrasound to shake loose the bioactive compounds from both chicory herb and root. Sixteen samples went under the HPLC microscope.

The results were striking. Ten bioactive compounds were identified, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin. In eight out of ten NADES extracts, the yields were significantly higher than anything conventional solvents could achieve. The green approach didn't just match the old methods—it outperformed them.

This isn't just a win for chicory. It's a roadmap for greener, safer extraction across the entire natural products industry. The future of phytochemistry might just be deep, natural, and eutectic.

Key Points

• NADES outperformed conventional solvents in 8 of 10 extracts
• Ten bioactive compounds identified via HPLC from chicory
• Green, non-toxic extraction with ultrasound technology