Overview of neoteric solvents as extractants in food industry: A focus on phenolic compounds separation from liquid streams

Developing of an eco-friendly liquid-liquid microextraction method by using menthol-based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent for determination of basic fuchsin dye: assessment of the greenness profile

Herein, we aimed to develop a new environmentally friendly liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) method based on hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (hDES) synthesized using biodegradable dl-menthol and decanoic acid for the spectrophotometric determination of toxic basic fuchsin dye in environmental water samples. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as pH, mole ratio, and volume of hDES (1:2) and type and volume of organic solvent, sample volume, times of vortex, ultrasonic bath and centrifuge, ionic strength, and matrix effect were investigated and optimized. Under optimal conditions, the calibration curve showed linearity in the range of 7.4-167 μg L-1 with a coefficient of determination of 0.9994. The limit of detection, intra-day and inter-day precision, and recovery values were 2.25 μg L-1, 2.46% and 4.45%, and 105 ± 3%, respectively. The preconcentration and enrichment factors were found to be 30 and 61.5, respectively. The proposed hDES-LLME methodology was successfully applied to the environmental water samples to detect toxic BF dye (95-105%). Finally, the ecological impact of the suggested method was evaluated using the analytical eco-scale (PPS:88), complementary green analytical procedure indexe (ComplexGAPI), and the Analytical GREEnness tool (0.63). The assessment results showed that the presented analytical method can be regarded as a green LLME approach for the determination of the BF in water.

Green solvents extraction-based detoxification to enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded lignocellulosic biomass and recover bioactive compounds

A novel strategy for pre-treated biomass detoxification combining emerging green solvents and low environmental impact extraction technologies was evaluated. Steam-exploded biomass was subjected to microwave-assisted or orbital shaking extraction using bio-based or eutectic solvents. The extracted biomass was enzymatically hydrolysed. The potential of this detoxification methodology was studied in terms of phenolic inhibitors extraction and sugar production improvement. The effect of adding a post-extraction water washing step before hydrolysis was also evaluated. Excellent results were achieved when steam-exploded biomass was subjected to the microwave-assisted extraction combined with the washing step. The highest sugar production was achieved when ethyl lactate was used as extraction agent (49.80 ± 3.10 g total sugar/L) over the control (30.43 ± 0.34 g total sugar/L). Results suggested that a detoxification step based on green solvents would be a promising option to extract phenolic inhibitors, which can be revalorized as antioxidants, and improve the sugar production from the extracted pre-treated biomass.

Combined hydrothermal and biological treatments for valorization of fruit and vegetable waste into liquid organic fertilizer

This study investigated the effects of hydrothermal treatment, biological treatment and their combination on nutrients recovery from fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) and evaluated the feasibility of fruit and vegetable waste juice (FVWJ) from the combined treatment as liquid organic fertilizer. In this study, following conditions were determined suitable for FVW treatment: the temperature of 165 °C and retention time of 45 min for hydrothermal treatment, 20 h for biological treatment, and Weissella, as the dominant microbial genus present in FVW, was suggested as inoculum for biological treatment. In the combined treatment, based on the above conditions of hydrothermal and biological treatments, the yield of FVWJ was 93.03 g out of 100 g FVW, and concentrations of organic matter (1.45%, w/w), primary nutrients (0.51%, w/w), and toxic components in the FVWJ complied with the requirements for use concentration in both Chinese and European standards for liquid organic fertilizer. The economic analysis showed the net saving of 13.60 USD per ton FVW, indicating that it is an economical approach to valorize fruit and vegetable waste into liquid organic fertilizer through the combined treatment.

Wine Lees as Source of Antioxidant Molecules: Green Extraction Procedure and Biological Activity

An ultrasound-assisted extraction method, employing ethanol and water as solvents at low temperature (30 °C) and reduced time (15 min), was proposed to extract bioactive molecules from different cultivars (Magliocco Canino, Magliocco Rosato, Gaglioppo, and Nocera Rosso) of wine lees. All the extract yields were evaluated and their contents of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and total polyphenols were determined by means of colorimetric assays and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. Radical scavenging assays were performed and the Magliocco Canino extracted with a hydroalcoholic mixture returned the best results both against ABTS (0.451 mg mL−1) and DPPH (0.395 mg mL−1) radicals. The chemometric algorithms principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square regression (PLS) were used to process the data obtained from all qualitative–quantitative sample determinations with the aim of highlighting data patterns and finding possible correlations between composition and antioxidant features of the different wine lees cultivars and the extraction procedures. Wine lees from Magliocco Canino and Magliocco Rosato were found to be the best vegetable matrices in terms of metabolite content and antioxidant properties. The components extracted with alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solvents, specifically (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, chlorogenic acid, and trans-caftaric acid, were found to be correlated with the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Multivariate data processing was able to identify the compounds related to the antioxidant features. Two PLS models were optimized by using their concentration levels to predict the IC50 values of the extracts in terms of DPPH and ABTS with high values of correlation coefficient R2, 0.932 and 0.824, respectively, and a prediction error lower than 0.07. Finally, cellular (SH-SY5Y cells) antioxidant assays were performed on the best extract (the hydroalcoholic extract of Magliocco Canino cv) to confirm its biological performance against radical species. All these recorded data strongly outline the aptness of valorizing wine lees as a valuable source of antioxidants.

Uncovering biodegradability and biocompatibility of betaine-based deep eutectic systems

Deep eutectic systems (DES) have shown increasing popularity in last decade; however, the number of studies on the potential toxicity towards living organisms remains scarce. These studies are of the utmost importance to infer on the claimed non-toxicity and biocompatibility of DES. Most articles published, at this moment, only evaluate the toxicity towards a cell model or in different strains of bacteria. For this purpose, in this work, the effect of two DES (betaine:sorbitol:water 1:1:3 and betaine:glycerol 1:2) and their individual components were evaluated at different concentrations after administered via intraperitoneal injection in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The total antioxidant capacity, lipoperoxidation, and the activity of various enzymes that work in different antioxidant pathways (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase) were assessed. The results show no significant toxicity within the tested concentrations: up to 5000 µM and 3000 µM, for the assays using the system betaine:sorbitol:water 1:1:3 and for betaine:glycerol 1:2, respectively. The toxicity of individual components was studied up to 1000 µM. Based on the encouraging results that have been obtained, it is safe to conclude that these two deep eutectic systems can be used as the new class of environmentally friendly solvents.

Are natural deep eutectic solvents always a sustainable option? A bioassay-based study

The traditional use of organic solvents in various branches of industry is being rethought as these compounds very often display high volatility, toxicity and lipophilicity (related to the ability to interact with biological membranes). More recently, developments in the field of Green Chemistry are focusing on the design of more sustainable and cost-effective solvent alternatives like Ionic Liquids (ILs), bio-based solvents and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs). The present study aimed at performing an ecotoxicological screening of 15 NADESs using an extensive set of marine and freshwater bioassays, based on different endpoints as the following: immobilization of the crustacean Daphnia magna, growth inhibition of Raphidocelis subcapitata and of Phaeodactylum tricornutum, larval development alterations on the serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus and bioluminescence inhibition of Aliivibrio fischeri. What emerged was a general absence of toxicity of all samples. However, both algal assays showed a certain degree of biostimulation, up to over 100% growth increase in respect to controls with 8 out of 15 compounds tested with Raphidocelis subcapitata. Despite NADESs-induced negligible toxicity effects to invertebrates, encouraging their labelling as "sustainable" solvents, the liability of their intentional or accidental release into aquatic systems may represent a serious risk in terms of ecosystem functioning impairments.

Enhanced Recovery of Natural Antioxidants from Grape Waste Using Natural Eutectic Solvents-Based Microwave-Assisted Extraction

The evaluation of sustainable solvents as alternatives to more harmful conventional solvents combined with intensification techniques to recover phenolic compounds from agri-food waste is in the spotlight. The wine industry generates large amounts of waste as a consequence of grape processing operations, which can be revalued by solvent extraction of valuable antioxidants for food and fine chemical applications. Therefore, the present study focuses on the use of natural eutectic solvents (NAESs) with benign environmental, health, and safety profiles, for valorization of grape waste in the context of a circular economy. Herein, up to 15 NAESs consisting of combinations of three hydrogen bond acceptors (choline chloride, L-proline, and betaine) and four hydrogen bond donors (1,2-propanediol, glycerol, and 1,2- and 1,3-butanediol) were evaluated for antioxidant recovery. After an initial screening of the performance of NAESs by conventional extraction, the process was intensified by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The extracts were analyzed by UV/VIS spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Promising results were obtained with the solvent betaine, 1,2-butanediol [1:4], using MAE at 100 °C for 3 min. Overall, the proposed NAESs-based MAE method was successfully applied to recover target compounds from grape waste, with great prospects for the antioxidants market and sustainable development for the winery sector.

Removal of phenol from wastewater by electrochemical bromination in a flow reactor

Electrochemical methods have been widely applied in the treatment of phenol wastewater for the past few years. However, conventional electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) generally encounter the problem of electrode passivation and the energy consumption required for mineralization is high. In this work, we reported the treatment of phenol wastewater by electrochemical bromination method in a flow electrolysis cell. The Ti/Sb-SnO₂/PbO₂ electrode was prepared and used as anode. The experiments were carried out under different initial pH, KBr concentrations, current densities, and volumetric flow rates. The generated 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) could be easily separated from the electrode surface and electrolyte. The brominated intermediates were identified by GC/MS. The removal efficiencies for phenol and COD were 100% and 82.7%, respectively, under the best operational conditions (current density of 40 mA cm^-2, KBr concentration of 0.074 mol L^-1, initial pH of 1.0, and volumetric flow rate of 114 mL min^-1). Furthermore, our electrochemical bromination method offered a high apparent current efficiency (ACE) of 276.6% and a low energy consumption (EC) of 4.54 × 10^-3 kWh gCOD^-1 after 40 min of electrolysis time, indicating that this process was suitable for phenol wastewater treatment.

Characterization of carotenoids in Lycium barbarum fruit by using UPC2-PDA-Q-TOF-MSE couple with deep eutectic solvents extraction and evaluation of their 5α-reductase inhibitory activity

Carotenoids from Lycium barbarum fruits have possessed pharmacological efficacy against eye diseases, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the efficient extraction, rapid characterization and activities evaluation of Lycium carotenoids remains a challenge. To concentrate and characterize Lycium carotenoids, we have developed ultrasound-assisted extraction methods with different deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and analyzed carotenoids by ultra-performance convergence chromatography coupled with photo diode array detector and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPC²-PDA-Q-TOF-MS^E). DESs containing choline chloride and malonic acid presented better extraction efficiency and were more environmentally friendly than other extraction methods. Carotenoids were more quickly profiled (in 11 min) by UPC² compared to by UPLC (in 35 min), with seventeen main peaks were characterized in the MS fragmentation patterns. The in vitro 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of DESs extracts, fractions and components were subsequently assessed, and the predominant component zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) exhibited potent inhibitory activity. Our study provides a chemical and pharmacological basis for the further development of potential new drugs based on Lycium carotenoids.

A sustainable application for the extraction of lichen metabolites from Usnea cornuta: nontargeted metabolomics and antioxidant activity

In this study, isolation and purification of lichen substances from Usnea cornuta were performed using conventional solvents, green solvents and green technologies. In addition, several lichen compounds were tentatively identified by UHPLC/ESI/MS/MS and usnic acid, diffractaic and galbinic acids were quantified as well. Limonene, ethyl lactate and methanol, were compared regarding their extraction properties and antioxidant capacities, determined by DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP assays. In the ethyl lactate, methanol and limonene extracts, 28 compounds in all, were detected for the first time by high resolution UHPLC-MS/MS fingerprinting. Untargeted metabolomics tentatively identified 14 compounds from the methanolic extract, 4 from limonene extract, and 20 metabolites from ethyl lactate extract. The green extract of ethyl lactate showed a similar antioxidant capacity to toxic methanol extract, except at ORAC assay where it was higher. Therefore, ethyl lactate can replace methanol, to provide more sustainable green chemistry methods.

A comprehensive review on comparison among effluent treatment methods and modern methods of treatment of industrial wastewater effluent from different sources

In recent years, rapid development in the industrial sector has offered console to the people but at the same time, generates numerous amounts of effluent composed of toxic elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals that influences the environment and mankind hazardously. While the technological advancements are made in industrial effluent treatment, there arising stretch in the techniques directing on hybrid system that are effective in resource recovery from effluent in an economical, less time consuming and viable manner. The key objective of this article is to study, propose and deliberate the process and products obtained from different industries and the quantity of effluents produced, and the most advanced and ultra-modern theoretical and scientific improvements in treatment methods to remove those dissolved matter and toxic substances and also the challenges and perspectives in these developments. The findings of this review appraise new eco-friendly technologies, provide intuition into the efficiency in contaminants removal and aids in interpreting degradation mechanism of toxic elements by various treatment assemblages.

Amino Acid-Based Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Aqueous Environments

The environmental pollution of phenol-containing wastewater is an urgent problem with industrial development. Natural deep eutectic solvents provide an environmentally friendly alternation for the solvent extraction of phenol. This study synthesized a series of natural deep eutectic solvents with L-proline and decanoic acid as precursors, characterized by in situ infrared spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and differential thermogravimetric analysis. Natural deep eutectic solvents have good thermal stability. The high-efficiency extraction of phenol from wastewater by natural deep eutectic solvents was investigated under mild conditions. The effects of natural deep eutectic solvents, phenol concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time on phenol extraction were studied. The optimized extraction conditions of phenol with L-prolin/decanoic acid were as follows: molar ratio, 4.2:1; reaction time, 60 min; and temperature, 50 °C. Extraction efficiency was up to 62%. The number of extraction cycles can be up to 6, and extraction rate not less than 57%. The promising results demonstrate that natural deep eutectic solvents are efficient in the field of phenolic compound extraction in wastewater.

Study on the Potential Application of Impatiens balsamina L. Flowers Extract as a Natural Colouring Ingredient in a Pastry Product

Flowers of the genus Impatiens are classified as edible; however, their inclusion in the human diet is not yet a common practice. Its attractive colours have stirred great interest by the food industry. In this sense, rose (BP) and orange (BO) I. balsamina flowers were nutritionally studied, followed by an in-depth chemical study profile. The non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin profiles of extracts of both flower varieties were also determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array and mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS). The results demonstrated that both varieties presented significant amounts of phenolic compounds, having identified nine non-anthocyanin compounds and 14 anthocyanin compounds. BP extract stood out in its bioactive properties (antioxidant and antimicrobial potential) and was selected for incorporation in "bombocas" filling. Its performance as a colouring ingredient was compared with the control formulations (white filling) and with E163 (anthocyanins) colorant. The incorporation of the natural ingredient did not cause changes in the chemical and nutritional composition of the product; and although the colour conferred was lighter than presented by the formulation with E163 (suggesting a more natural aspect), the higher antioxidant activity could meet the expectations of the current high-demand consumer.

Synergistic Interactions of SDGs in Food Supply Chains: A Review of Responsible Consumption and Production

In light of the significance of Food Supply Chains (FSCs) in attaining the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a greater focus on synergistic interactions between these SDGs is called for. Although there is research within this area, the impact on the interactions of responsible consumption and production for supply chains is either fragmented or inconclusive. Implementing supply chain solutions to achieve one goal could potentially support or inhibit progress in other goals; thus, before implementing such solutions, a better understanding of the interrelationships between SDGs is required. A systematic review is conducted to evidence the current nature of the understanding of these interrelationships within the food supply chain context by focusing on Responsible Consumption and Production, which refers to SDG number 12. This review is conducted through a filtering process, where 171 peer-reviewed articles addressing different SDGs were analysed and synthesized. In addition to a detailed summary of the recent literature on the SDGs and their interrelationships, as addressed in the literature, this paper establishes the limitations in the existing literature and research challenges surrounding the SDGs. This article contributes a conceptual framework that identifies stakeholder and consumer pressures as enablers of synergistic interactions between SDGs, thus directing managerial and regulatory interventions through a holistic perspective of SDGs. Finally, the review discusses contradictory findings on SDGs and provides future research avenues.

Techniques and modeling of polyphenol extraction from food: a review

There is a growing demand for vegetal food having health benefits such as improving the immune system. This is due in particular to the presence of polyphenols present in small amounts in many fruits, vegetables and functional foods. Extracting polyphenols is challenging because extraction techniques should not alter food quality. Here, we review technologies for extracting polyphenolic compounds from foods. Conventional techniques include percolation, decoction, heat reflux extraction, Soxhlet extraction and maceration, whereas advanced techniques are ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, high-voltage electric discharge, pulse electric field extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction. Advanced techniques are 32-36% more efficient with approximately 15 times less energy consumption and producing higher-quality extracts. Membrane separation and encapsulation appear promising to improve the sustainability of separating polyphenolic compounds. We present kinetic models and their influence on process parameters such as solvent type, solid and solvent ratio, temperature and particle size.

Nano-technological approaches for plant and marine-based polysaccharides for nano-encapsulations and their applications in food industry

Novel food preservation methods, along with preservatives have been employed to prevent food products from spoilage. There is an increasing demand to substitute synthetic preservatives with natural bioactive compounds since they are safe and environmentally friendly. Bioactive compounds with functional and therapeutic properties are found in foods and have also beneficial physiological and immunological health effects. However, there are some issues associated with bioactive compounds, such as low stability, solubility, and permeability. Encapsulation techniques, especially nano-encapsulation, are a promising technique to overcome these restrictions. A range of the plants' constituents can be converted into bio-nanomaterials. Major plant constituents are polysaccharides which have good biocompatibility properties and therapeutic activities, such as antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor. Among plant and marine-based polysaccharides, cellulose, starch, alginates, chitosan, and carrageenans have been used as carrier materials to preserve core material. Moreover, many studies indicated that favorable sources such as plant and marine based polysaccharides are emerging. This chapter will cover plant and marine-based polysaccharides for nano-encapsulation and their application in the food industry.