Microwave–Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Coupled with Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Enables High-Yield, Low-Solvent Recovery of Curcumin from Curcuma longa L.

Imagine getting more curcumin from turmeric while using half the solvent—this new method does exactly that, and it's faster and greener too.

Turmeric's golden compound, curcumin, is a powerhouse for health, but extracting it has always been a solvent-hungry process. Traditional methods demand large amounts of organic solvents, raising costs and environmental red flags. Now, researchers have found a smarter way: combining microwave and ultrasound with a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) made from choline chloride and lactic acid. This eco-friendly duo acts like a precision tool, breaking cell walls and dissolving curcumin efficiently without harsh chemicals.

Key Points

• MUAE + NADES boosts curcumin yield by 14.36% over UAE
• Solvent use cut by 50%, purity jumps from 0.31% to 20.54%
• First study combining MUAE with NADES for optimized extraction