Obtaining green extracts rich in phenolic compounds from underexploited food by-products using natural deep eutectic solvents. Opportunities and challenges

Can potato peels and olive leaves hold the secret to greener, more sustainable bioactive extraction? As environmental awareness surges, science is turning its attention to cleaning up how we harvest valuable compounds from what we throw away.

Phenolic compounds have long captivated researchers thanks to their impressive bioactive properties. Traditionally, however, extracting these valuable molecules meant relying on polluting methods that clashed with modern environmental goals. Enter a cleaner horizon: valorising food waste. Recent studies show that underexploited by-products like potato peels, grape pomace, beetroot, and olive leaves are absolute treasure troves of polyphenols.

To harvest these natural riches sustainably, researchers are exploring natural deep eutectic solvents as a viable alternative to conventional extraction. The reviewed literature confirms that these natural solvents offer a genuine path forward for green extraction processes.

Yet, the journey is far from complete. Scientists note that further research is still desperately needed to overcome existing drawbacks associated with these novel solvents and to test the commercial feasibility of applying these extracts directly within the food industry.

Key Points

• Food waste acts as a rich source of polyphenols.
• NADES offer a real alternative for green extraction.
• Further research is needed to overcome NADES drawbacks.