NADES

Extraction of Functional Food Ingredients Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

Projektstatus

Abgeschlossen

Projektlaufzeit

01.03.2021

- 01.08.2024

Ansprechpartner

Andreas Juadjur

Ausgangslage

Organic solvents such as methanol or hexane are currently widely used for the extractive recovery of valuable semipolar to lipophilic substances. However, some of them exhibit undesirable properties, such as high volatility, flammability, and toxicity. In light of current discussions on sustainability, there is growing interest in alternative extraction methods that do not rely on environmentally harmful chemicals. In this context, “Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents” (NADES) are considered a promising solution.

Projektbeschreibung

NADES are mixtures of mostly solid substances that become liquid at room temperature after preparation. Their properties are similar to those of ionic liquids and can be specifically tailored to a target analyte by selecting the appropriate components. Unlike classical DES and ionic liquids, NADES consist of natural substances that are safe for human health and the environment. Since the current state of knowledge regarding NADES applications is still limited, two in silico methods have been established for the preselection of suitable systems. A QSPR model based on linear support vector regression predicts viscosity as a function of water content and temperature. For systems with suitable viscosity, solubility properties are then calculated using COSMO-RS. Based on the selected NADES, the project is developing sustainable extraction methods (“Green Chemistry”) for the production of natural dyes, bioactive polyphenols, and flavor-modulating flavonoids.