Investigation of the Ability of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents to Act as Efficient Extraction Media for Chamomille (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

What if the key to unlocking nature's pharmacy lies not in harsh chemicals, but in a gentle, green solvent made from everyday molecules? A new study reveals that Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) can double the extraction of beneficial compounds from chamomile compared to traditional methods.

Medicinal plants are treasure troves of bioactive compounds, but extracting them often relies on harsh, polluting solvents. Enter Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES)—a new class of green solvents made from natural ingredients like amino acids and sugars. In this study, scientists tested six different NADES formulations to see how well they could pull out phenolic and flavonoid compounds from chamomile, a plant celebrated for its health benefits.

The standout performer was a NADES made from betaine and 1,3-propanediol. Using a Box-Behnken design, the team optimized extraction conditions—solid-to-liquid ratio, time, and water content—to maximize yields. At the sweet spot (20 mg/g, 240 minutes, 40% water), this NADES achieved a Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of 49.2 mg GAE/g and a Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) of 45.9 mg CAE/g. That's roughly double what a conventional hydroethanolic solvent produced under the same conditions (TPC 26.6 mg/g, TFC 19.9 mg/g).

But the story doesn't end with numbers. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) revealed that the NADES extract had a different phytochemical profile than the ethanol-based one, hinting that the choice of solvent influences not just how much is extracted, but what exactly gets extracted. This suggests NADES could be tailored to target specific compounds, opening new doors for greener, more efficient extraction processes in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Key Points

• NADES made from betaine and 1,3-propanediol doubled extraction yields.
• Optimized conditions: 20 mg/g, 240 min, 40% water.
• NADES extract had different phytochemical profile than ethanol extract.