Issue 12, 2014

Ionic liquid solutions as extractive solvents for value-added compounds from biomass

Abstract

In the past few years, the number of studies regarding the application of ionic liquids (ILs) as alternative solvents to extract value-added compounds from biomass has been growing. Based on an extended compilation and analysis of the data hitherto reported, the main objective of this review is to provide an overview on the use of ILs and their mixtures with molecular solvents for the extraction of value-added compounds present in natural sources. The ILs (or IL solutions) investigated as solvents for the extraction of natural compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, lipids, among others, are outlined. The extraction techniques employed, namely solid–liquid extraction, and microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted extractions, are emphasized and discussed in terms of extraction yields and purification factors. Furthermore, the evaluation of the IL chemical structure and the optimization of the process conditions (IL concentration, temperature, biomass–solvent ratio, etc.) are critically addressed. Major conclusions on the role of the ILs towards the extraction mechanisms and improved extraction yields are additionally provided. The isolation and recovery procedures of the value-added compounds are ascertained as well as some scattered strategies already reported for the IL solvent recovery and reusability. Finally, a critical analysis on the economic impact versus the extraction performance of IL-based methodologies was also carried out and is here presented and discussed.

Graphical abstract: Ionic liquid solutions as extractive solvents for value-added compounds from biomass

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
12 Feb 2014
Accepted
28 Jul 2014
First published
28 Jul 2014

Green Chem., 2014,16, 4786-4815

Author version available

Ionic liquid solutions as extractive solvents for value-added compounds from biomass

H. Passos, M. G. Freire and J. A. P. Coutinho, Green Chem., 2014, 16, 4786 DOI: 10.1039/C4GC00236A

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