Valorization of wheat-derived pharmaceutical waste via sustainable NADES-based extraction and untargeted bioactive profiling

What if the leftover waste from wheat extracts could become a goldmine of bioactive compounds? Scientists just found a greener way to unlock it.

The production of wheat extract, prized for its tissue-repair properties, leaves behind mountains of solid waste with no known second life. Traditional extraction methods rely on toxic organic solvents, consuming time and harming the environment. Enter natural deep eutectic solvents, or NADES—a new generation of green solvents poised to change the game.

In this study, researchers tested eight NADES formulations with varying pH, polarity, and viscosity to recover bioactive compounds from wheat-based waste. Using advanced UHPLC-Q-ToF-HRMS analysis, they focused on ferulic acid, a valuable antioxidant. The winning formula was a betaine:1,3-butanediol:water mixture (1:3:10.6), praised for its moderate pH and low viscosity. Ultrasound-assisted extraction was fine-tuned using Response Surface Methodology, achieving yields comparable to conventional hydroalcoholic mixtures.

Non-targeted profiling revealed that different solvents unlock different bioactive compounds, hinting at tailored extraction possibilities. The method's greenness was confirmed via AGREEprep and BAGI metrics. This research transforms wheat waste into a treasure trove for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, proving sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand.

Key Points

• NADES extract ferulic acid from wheat waste efficiently.
• Best formula: betaine:1,3-butanediol:water (1:3:10.6).
• Green method matches traditional extraction yields.