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Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds,...
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Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Separation Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 8234

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pasquale Crupi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: metabolomics analyses of food products; analytical techniques; green extraction technologies; fruit and vegetables; bio-transformed products; multivariate statistical analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This is the second volume of the previously successful Special Issue "Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds" (Link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/processes/special_issues/nature_product_compounds).

Natural bioactive compounds include a plethora of structures and functionalities that provide a consistent pool of molecules for the production of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and food additives. Moreover, they have also shown great market potential for industrial applications in the pharmaceutic and cosmetic sectors. These compounds, which are produced and recovered from various biological sources (such as fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, wastes, and byproducts), can be found in nature either at high concentration (i.e., polyphenols) or at very low levels, such that massive harvesting is needed to obtain sufficient amounts. Indeed, their structural diversity and complexity make chemical synthesis unprofitable. The development of advanced technologies has been fundamental for overcoming the inherent difficulties in screening and producing these compounds. Traditionally, they are extracted via conventional liquid–liquid or solid–liquid extraction techniques, but this approach implies negative thermal influences on extraction yield and quality with a large expenditure of organic solvents and energy. Moreover, with the growing consumer demands for greener alternatives that do not involve toxic chemicals, as well as the industry’s concerns around sustainable, nontoxic routes of extraction, the applications of novel extraction technologies (including, for instance, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction, as well as their combination) are becoming more and more widespread.

This Special Issue of the journal Processes on “Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds” aims to group original research and review articles about the setting and optimization of production and processing strategies, as well as conventional and innovative extraction technologies of natural compounds.

Dr. Pasquale Crupi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural product chemistry
  • biological sources
  • leftovers
  • production methods
  • processing
  • non-conventional extractions
  • methods of analysis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 1606 KiB  
Article
1H-NMR, HPSEC-RID, and HPAEC-PAD Characterization of Polysaccharides Extracted by Hydrodynamic Cavitation from Apple and Pomegranate By-Products for Their Valorization: A Focus on Pectin
by Silvia D’Agostino, Lorenzo Cecchi, Mohamad Khatib, Paola Domizio, Gianni Zoccatelli, Valentina Civa, Federica Mainente, Carlotta Breschi, Tommaso Ugolini, Francesco Meneguzzo, Federica Zabini, Luca Tagliavento, Nadia Mulinacci and Bruno Zanoni
Processes 2024, 12(10), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12102113 - 28 Sep 2024
Viewed by 623
Abstract
Several chemical analytical methods were applied to characterize the chemical structure of polysaccharides extracted from discarded apples and pomegranate peels using hydrodynamic cavitation methods in a circular economy perspective. In particular, the purity of the polysaccharides and the degrees of acetylation and methylation [...] Read more.
Several chemical analytical methods were applied to characterize the chemical structure of polysaccharides extracted from discarded apples and pomegranate peels using hydrodynamic cavitation methods in a circular economy perspective. In particular, the purity of the polysaccharides and the degrees of acetylation and methylation were evaluated by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) analysis; simple sugars and galacturonic acid were analyzed simultaneously by High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography—Pulsed Amperometric Detector (HPAEC-PAD); the molecular weight of the extracted polysaccharides was determined by High-Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography-Refractive Index Detector (HPSEC-RID). The results showed a negligible presence of co-precipitated proteins/tannins, easily removed by dialysis, as well as other co-precipitated molecules such as monosaccharides and organic acids. Polysaccharides from apples consisted mainly of pectic material with a prevalence of homogalacturonans. Polysaccharides from pomegranate peels showed greater compositional variability with significant amounts of arabinose and galactose, a lower content of pectin, and the presence of rhamnogalacturonans I. Both polysaccharides were highly methylated and differed in the degree of acetylation, which could lead to different properties. Polysaccharides from apples presented two main molecular weights (>805 kDa and 348–805 kDa, respectively), while those from pomegranate peel showed a major fraction at 348 kDa and minor fractions < 23 kDa. In conclusion, the research tools proposed by this study have allowed defining the macrostructure of polysaccharides in a quick and efficient way to valorize these food by-products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 1152 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Viability of Integrating Evaporation and Solvent Extraction Systems for Lithium Recovery from Low-Grade Brines
by Katarzyna Ochromowicz, Monika Zabłocka-Malicka, Ida Chojnacka and Magdalena Worsa-Kozak
Processes 2024, 12(7), 1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071453 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1142
Abstract
In recent years, the demand for lithium, essential to the high-tech and battery sectors, has increased rapidly. The majority of lithium carbonate is now sourced from continental brines in Latin America, owing to the lower production costs and reduced environmental impact. In Europe, [...] Read more.
In recent years, the demand for lithium, essential to the high-tech and battery sectors, has increased rapidly. The majority of lithium carbonate is now sourced from continental brines in Latin America, owing to the lower production costs and reduced environmental impact. In Europe, often overlooked but promising lithium resources could include highly mineralized underground waters. Therefore, this study investigates the enrichment of these low-grade solutions (<100 mg/L Li) through evaporation followed by solvent extraction (SX) processes under specific conditions. The effectiveness and the technical feasibility of lithium extraction were evaluated using binary synthetic, multicomponent semi-synthetic, and real brine samples. The popular tributyl phosphate/methyl isobutyl ketone (TBP/MIBK) system, supplemented with FeCl3 and AlCl3 as co-extractants, was employed as the organic phase. Evaporation resulted in significant lithium losses (up to 80%), reduced to ~10% by washing the crystallisate obtained during evaporation with ethanol. The results from SX tests revealed differences between the synthetic and real brines. While the synthetic brines exhibited satisfactory lithium extraction yields (91%), the real brines showed a significantly lower extraction efficiency (~32%), rendering the tested system ineffective. Solid phase precipitation during the SX trials was observed for both the synthetic and real brines, which were concentrated before the SX stage, highlighting the challenges in lithium-recovery processes. However, semi-synthetic brine trials yielded promising results, with a satisfactory extraction efficiency (76%), and the absence of physical problems (emulsion, long disengagement, etc.). This reveals the importance of the chemical composition of brines and emphasizes the need for varied procedural approaches in lithium-recovery processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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10 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Nutraceutical Value of Eleven Aromatic Medicinal Plants and Azorean Camellia sinensis: Comparison of Antioxidant Properties and Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents
by Lisete Sousa Paiva, Madalena Hintze Motta and José António Bettencourt Baptista
Processes 2024, 12(7), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12071375 - 1 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Drug discovery based on medicinal plants remains an important source of bioactive compounds, many of which have been the basis for new chemical structures for the pharmaceutical and food industries. According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of the worldwide population still [...] Read more.
Drug discovery based on medicinal plants remains an important source of bioactive compounds, many of which have been the basis for new chemical structures for the pharmaceutical and food industries. According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of the worldwide population still depends on plant drugs, and several medicines have been obtained from medicinal plants. Unfortunately, the potential benefits of these plants have led to unscientific exploration of natural resources, a fact that is being globally observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate eleven aromatic medicinal plants and compare them to Azorean Camellia sinensis green tea in terms of antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and flavonoid content, and also to evaluate the possibility of their valorization as a nutraceutical material. The results revealed that Camellia sinensis presented higher values for free radical scavenging activity (FRSA, EC50 = 3.43 µg/mL), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP, EC50 = 5.12 µg/mL), and total phenolic content (TPC, 294.43 mg acid gallic equivalents per g of dry extract (DE)). However, the aromatic medicinal plants also presented significant results in terms of FRSA and FRAP, particularly Aloysia citrodora, Mentha pulegium, and Stevia rebaudiana. For ferric ion chelating (FIC), the highest value was found in Cymbopogon citratus (80.60%). Mentha pulegium and Aloysia citrodora had significant values for TPC (199.15 and 187.15 mg GAE/g DE, respectively), but were lower than the values of Camellia sinensis. For flavonoid content (TFC), the highest value was shown in Achyrocline satureioides (265.75 mg rutin equivalents per g DE). This study revealed the importance of some aromatic medicinal plants in terms of bioactivities, and that their combination with green tea is a perfect blend for added value with beneficial nutraceutical effects for human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
21 pages, 1228 KiB  
Article
Valuable Nutrients, Aroma Profile, and Functional Bioactives Extracted by Eco-Friendly Extraction Techniques from Wild Olive Fruits (Olea europaea L. var. sylvestris)
by Maria Irakli, Theano Samara, Elisavet Bouloumpasi, Kalliopi Kadoglidou, Paschalina Chatzopoulou and Ioannis Spanos
Processes 2024, 12(6), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061181 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1538
Abstract
Wild olive tree, or oleaster (var. sylvestris), native to the Mediterranean region, is considered a traditional source of healthy food. Wild olive fruit (WOF) exhibits several biological properties associated with its chemical composition. Although Greece has important olive genetic resources, including oleaster [...] Read more.
Wild olive tree, or oleaster (var. sylvestris), native to the Mediterranean region, is considered a traditional source of healthy food. Wild olive fruit (WOF) exhibits several biological properties associated with its chemical composition. Although Greece has important olive genetic resources, including oleaster populations, limited information is available on the chemical characterization of WOF. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to study the nutritional, bioactive (phenolics, tocopherols, and pigments), volatile profile, and antioxidant properties of WOF collected from Greece. Moreover, eco-friendly processes, including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), were applied to obtain oleuropein-rich extracts from WOF. Evaluation of phenolic composition in WOF extracts was carried out by LC-DAD-ESI-MS, while antioxidant activity was evaluated by applying DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. Our outcomes show that Greek WOF is rich in oleic acid (71.55%), total phenolics (64.89 mg GAE/g dw), tocopherols (107.05 mg/kg dw), and carotenoids (85.90 mg/kg dw). Oleuropein (72.03 mg/g dw) was the main phenolic compound in the WOF extracts. Also, the WOF was characterized by an increased level of volatile compounds, mainly terpenoids (46.73%). UAE was more efficient than MAE and ASE for recovering oleuropein-rich extracts with high antioxidant activity. These results emphasized the high potential of WOF as an alternative bioactive ingredient for use in the food industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 3733 KiB  
Article
Chemical Modification of Birch Bark (Betula L.) for the Improved Bioprocessing of Cadmium(II), Chromium(VI), and Manganese(II) from Aqueous Solutions
by Jarosław Chwastowski and Paweł Staroń
Processes 2024, 12(5), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12051005 - 15 May 2024
Viewed by 1116
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the sorption capacity of a natural sorbent, specifically birch bark (BB), and its modification using chemical reagents, including nitric and hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and chloride. The objective of the chemical modification was to enhance the sorption capacity [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the sorption capacity of a natural sorbent, specifically birch bark (BB), and its modification using chemical reagents, including nitric and hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and chloride. The objective of the chemical modification was to enhance the sorption capacity of the heavy metals cadmium(II), chromium(VI), and manganese(II). The most effective modification for adsorbing cadmium and manganese from aqueous solutions was achieved by treating the sorbent with a 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution (BBNa). Conversely, in the case of chromium, each modification adversely affected its adsorption by the sorbent. Concentrations of the solutions were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry at appropriate time intervals. The adsorption process was described using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms. The Freundlich isotherm provided the best fit for cadmium and chromium (R2 = 0.988 and 0.986, respectively), while the Langmuir isotherm was most suitable for manganese (R2 = 0.996). The sorption capacity varied for each metal ion: Cd (II)—33.13 mg/g, Cr (VI)—35.98 mg/g, and Mn (II)—24 mg/g for the highest concentration tested. This study employed pseudo–first-rate order, pseudo–second-rate order model kinetics, and the Weber–Morris model to examine the adsorption kinetics. The pseudo–second-rate order kinetics demonstrated the best fit (R2 > 0.94) for each heavy metal, which underlines the process’s chemical nature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 1766 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Hydrolysis of Cocoa Bean Shell to Obtain Bioactive Compounds
by Marta Sánchez, Tamara Bernal, Amanda Laca, Adriana Laca and Mario Díaz
Processes 2024, 12(5), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050956 - 8 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1285
Abstract
Cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product from the chocolate industry, is an interesting source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the effects of time and pH on the hydrothermal hydrolysis of CBS were evaluated with the aim of maximizing the extraction of antioxidant [...] Read more.
Cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product from the chocolate industry, is an interesting source of bioactive compounds. In this work, the effects of time and pH on the hydrothermal hydrolysis of CBS were evaluated with the aim of maximizing the extraction of antioxidant and functional compounds from this biomass. In general, all treatments tested led to improvements in the extraction of bioactive compounds compared to untreated samples. The maximum values for antioxidant activity (187 µmol TE/g CBS dw) and phenolic compounds (14.5 mg GAE/g CBS dw) were obtained when CBS was treated at pH 4 for 10 min. In addition, maximum amounts of flavonoids (10.1 mg CE/g CBS dw), tannins (6.5 mg CE/g CBS dw) and methylxanthines (9 mg/g CBS dw) were obtained under mild pH conditions (4–5). It is noteworthy that these values are higher than those reported in the literature for other vegetable substrates, highlighting the potential of CBS to be valorized as a source of different value-adding products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 1601 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Reverse Sorption on an Extraction Kinetics Melanin Case
by Igor Lomovskiy, Aleksey Kiryanov and Tatiana Skripkina
Processes 2023, 11(11), 3192; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113192 - 8 Nov 2023
Viewed by 736
Abstract
Research into extraction kinetics is one of the crucial factors in a technological process. Extraction is used predominantly when working with organic feedstock. The study of the kinetics of extraction of a substance is a complex process, which is influenced by a large [...] Read more.
Research into extraction kinetics is one of the crucial factors in a technological process. Extraction is used predominantly when working with organic feedstock. The study of the kinetics of extraction of a substance is a complex process, which is influenced by a large number of factors. This paper presents an analysis of one of these factors, namely the influence of reverse sorption on the process of substance release from the matrix. Sorption can directly affect the intraparticle diffusion constants and, consequently, the rate of release of the substance. Using buckwheat husk as an example, its sorption capacity was assessed to assess the sorption factor on the rate of melanin release. To select the optimal parameters of the chemical process, the experiment was carried out at temperatures of 40, 50, and 60 degrees Celsius. The Axelrud and Baker–Lonsdale equations were used to describe the kinetic models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technologies for Production, Processing, and Extractions of Nature Product Compounds, 2nd Edition)
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