Towards eco-metabolomics: NADES-guided extraction enables semi-quantitative metabolomics for Melissa officinalis

What if the greenest solvent could outperform traditional ones in capturing nature's chemical complexity? A new study on lemon balm reveals that eco-friendly NADES may be the key to unlocking a treasure trove of plant metabolites.

In the quest for greener chemistry, scientists are turning to Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) as sustainable alternatives to conventional extraction methods. This study tested 20 NADES with varying polarities to extract bioactive compounds from Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) leaves, using computational predictions and experimental validation. The results were striking: some NADES showed remarkable selectivity, pulling out diverse biochemical classes, while thymol-menthol NADES matched the efficiency of traditional ethanolic extraction, capturing a similar breadth of the metabolome. By employing semi-quantitative metabolomics, the team annotated 444 metabolites in total—249 in positive ion mode and 195 in negative ion mode—offering a detailed snapshot of the plant's chemical profile. This workflow not only highlights the potential of NADES for green extraction but also paves the way for eco-metabolomics, where sustainable methods meet comprehensive metabolic analysis.

Key Points

• 20 NADES tested for green extraction from Melissa officinalis.
• Semi-quantitative metabolomics annotated 444 metabolites total.
• Thymol-menthol NADES matches ethanolic extraction efficiency.