Articles
Recent developments in environmentally friendly techniques for extracting bioactive compounds from moringa plant parts
Article number
1394_12
Pages
93 – 98
Language
English
Abstract
Scientific evidence has proven that various naturally occurring phytochemical compounds, particularly in the leaves of the Moringa oleifera plant, can be beneficial for plant production and pharmaceutical applications.
Currently, the most common methods for extracting these compounds from moringa plant parts involve distillation and solvent extraction.
However, these methods are considered environmentally unfriendly due to their toxicity and low extraction efficiency.
Consequently, there is an urgent need to explore alternative extraction methods that will minimize harm to both humans and the environment, thereby promoting more sustainable production of agricultural and pharmaceutical products.
This review, therefore, critically discusses the innovative and promising green technologies that can partially or fully replace environmentally unfriendly organic solvents, contributing to a greener economy.
The potential of microwave, ultrasound, and enzyme-assisted extraction, as well as aqueous extraction using hot and cold water, and supercritical fluid extraction, is also discussed.
These novel techniques are compared with the traditional organic solvents like methanol, ethanol, acetone, and hexane, in terms of extraction efficiency.
Furthermore, we assess the concentration of various bioactive compounds extracted from moringa using these techniques to evaluate their potential use in the global horticultural industry without posing a significant threat to the environment.
Currently, the most common methods for extracting these compounds from moringa plant parts involve distillation and solvent extraction.
However, these methods are considered environmentally unfriendly due to their toxicity and low extraction efficiency.
Consequently, there is an urgent need to explore alternative extraction methods that will minimize harm to both humans and the environment, thereby promoting more sustainable production of agricultural and pharmaceutical products.
This review, therefore, critically discusses the innovative and promising green technologies that can partially or fully replace environmentally unfriendly organic solvents, contributing to a greener economy.
The potential of microwave, ultrasound, and enzyme-assisted extraction, as well as aqueous extraction using hot and cold water, and supercritical fluid extraction, is also discussed.
These novel techniques are compared with the traditional organic solvents like methanol, ethanol, acetone, and hexane, in terms of extraction efficiency.
Furthermore, we assess the concentration of various bioactive compounds extracted from moringa using these techniques to evaluate their potential use in the global horticultural industry without posing a significant threat to the environment.
Publication
Authors
B.L. Ngcobo, S. Mbuyisa
Keywords
efficacy, green industry, human health, moringa, phytochemicals, yield
Groups involved
Online Articles (17)