Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) Extraction for Determination of Bioactive Compounds from Sandy Everlasting (Helichrysum arenarium L.): A Case of Stability Study

What if the key to unlocking plant power was a green, gooey liquid made from natural ingredients? A new study shows how a choline chloride-lactic acid mixture outperforms conventional solvents in extracting antioxidants from a resilient flower.

Forget harsh organic solvents—scientists are turning to nature's own chemistry to extract valuable compounds from plants. In a recent study, researchers used vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (VA-MSPD) to pull bioactive molecules from Helichrysum arenarium, a hardy flower known as sandy everlasting. The goal? To find a greener, more effective extraction method.

They tested four choline chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as potential eluents, comparing them against a standard ultrasound-assisted extraction with 80% methanol. The most promising candidate was a mixture of choline chloride and lactic acid (ChCl-LA). This green solvent not only extracted a higher total phenolic content (38.34 ± 0.09 mg GA/g DW—27% more than the methanolic extract) but also showed strong antioxidant activity.

But the real surprise came during stability tests. Over 60 days at three temperatures (−18°C, 4°C, and 25°C), the ChCl-LA extract maintained its key compounds—chlorogenic acid, naringenin glycosides, and chalcones—better than conventional extracts. This stabilization effect could mean longer shelf life for natural products.

The optimized method—using florisil as adsorbent, a 0.5/1 ratio to sample, 2 minutes of vortexing, and 10 mL of ChCl-LA—proved both efficient and eco-friendly. It's a win for green chemistry and for anyone who loves plants with staying power.

Key Points

• ChCl-LA NADES boosts phenolic yield by 27% vs. methanol.
• Extracts stable for 60 days at −18, 4, and 25°C.
• Optimized MSPD: florisil, 2 min vortex, 10 mL eluent.