Understanding NADES Solvent for Extraction: A Breakthrough in Green Chemistry

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) have emerged as a revolutionary alternative in the field of green chemistry, particularly for extraction processes. These innovative solvents are gaining attention for their efficiency, environmental friendliness, and versatility across a range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and food processing.

NADES are a class of deep eutectic solvents that consist of natural compounds, such as sugars, organic acids, alcohols, and amino acids, mixed in specific molar ratios. When combined, these components form a eutectic mixture with a significantly lower melting point than its individual constituents. This phenomenon arises due to extensive hydrogen bonding between the components, creating a liquid phase at room temperature or slightly above.

Types of NADES

1. Hydrogen Bond Donor (HBD) and Hydrogen Bond Acceptor (HBA) Based NADES

These NADES are formed by mixing a hydrogen bond donor (HBD) with a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) in specific molar ratios.

• Common HBDs: Organic acids, sugars, alcohols (e.g., citric acid, glucose, glycerol)

• Common HBAs: Amino acids, choline chloride, urea

  
  

2. Sugar-Based NADES

These NADES are formed using sugars and sugar alcohols as primary components due to their strong hydrogen bonding capabilities.

• Common Components: Glucose, sucrose, maltose, sorbitol, xylitol

  
  

3. Alcohol-Based NADES

These NADES are composed of alcohols combined with organic acids or other polar compounds to create a low-melting eutectic mixture.

• Common Components: Ethanol, methanol, glycerol, propylene glycol

  
  

4. Acid-Based NADES

Acid-based NADES use organic acids either alone or in combination with other donors and acceptors.

• Common Components: Citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid

  
  

5. Amino Acid-Based NADES

Amino acids can also act as hydrogen bond donors or acceptors in NADES formulations.

• Common Components: L-Arginine, L-Proline, Glycine

  
  

6. Polyol-Based NADES

Polyol-based NADES use polyols (multiple hydroxyl group compounds) such as glycerol and sorbitol due to their high solubility and hydrogen bonding capacity.

• Common Components: Glycerol, Sorbitol, Mannitol

  
  

7. Ionic Liquid-Based NADES

These NADES incorporate ionic components like choline chloride to enhance the solubility of various compounds.

• Common Components: Choline chloride, Betaine

Advantages of NADES

• Biocompatibility: NADES are derived from natural substances, making them non-toxic and environmentally sustainable.

• Customizable Properties: By adjusting the composition and ratio of components, NADES can be tailored to suit specific extraction needs, such as solubility or selectivity for certain compounds.

• Eco-Friendly: Unlike traditional organic solvents, NADES are biodegradable and pose minimal environmental risks.

• Wide Applicability: These solvents can dissolve a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds, including polar and non-polar substances, making them highly versatile.

Challenges of NADES

While NADES offer numerous advantages, there are challenges to their widespread adoption. These include:

• Standardization: The lack of standardized preparation methods can lead to variability in properties.

• Cost: Large-scale production and commercialization remain relatively expensive compared to conventional solvents.

• Scalability: Ensuring consistent performance in industrial-scale processes is an ongoing challenge.

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References:

[1] Jauregi, P., Esnal-Yeregi, L., Labidi, J. (2023). Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the extraction of bioactives: emerging opportunities in biorefinery applications. PeerJ.

[2] Alvarez, M. S., Zhang, Y. (2019). Sketching neoteric solvents for boosting drugs bioavailability. Journal of Controlled Release, 311-312.

[3] Orejuela-Escobar, L. M., Landazuri, A. C., Goodell, B. (2021). Second generation biorefining in Ecuador: Circular bioeconomy, zero waste technology, environment and sustainable development: The nexus. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 6(2).