Innovative Emerging Technologies for Extraction of Phytochemicals From Natural Sources

Abstract

Due to their established health benefits, phytochemicals such as phenolics, carotenoids, sterols, and alkaloids are becoming more and more popular. However, some of these phytochemicals may not be amenable to typical extraction techniques. Examples of innovative methods include supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave extraction (MWE), pulsed electric field (PEF), highpressure processing (HPP), and ultrasonic extraction (UE), and ohmic heating (OH). Supercritical fluid extraction is one of the methods that is most often researched and has already found commercial use for number of products. The most used supercritical fluid for agricultural products is carbon dioxide. Additionally growing, and already having commercial uses, is microwave extraction. By using electromagnetic radiation to quickly and uniformly heat the matrix, this technique produces extractions with high quantities of phytochemicals and few impurities. Despite current interest in pulsed electric fields, which have several benefits over thermal treatments, their usage is still limited to a small number of industrial units. Ohmic heating occurs when alternating current is sent through the matrix, heat is produced bysample's electrical resistance discharging. Low-frequency electrical energy is demonstrated to promote the extraction of phytochemicals since it dissipates into heat quickly and uniformly. High-pressure processing has potential to improve diffusion, increase mass transfer and cell permeability, and maintain food quality. HPP reduces negative effects of heat while greatly enhancing texture. HPP employs high pressures and moderate temperatures in comparison to traditional extraction techniques. With the employment of a combination of cutting-edge technologies that will enable the production of high-quality phytochemicals with little degradation, future of phytochemical extraction is undoubtedly brigh