For more sustainable and environmentally friendly scientific research, it is essential to apply green chemistry principles in all areas of science. A possible area in which green chemistry principles can significantly influence the productivity and the quality of the outcome is extraction of natural products. The conventional toxic solvents can be replaced by environmentally friendly solvents known as deep eutectic solvents, which fortunately, due to their unique properties, can significantly improve extraction efficiency. In this literature review, the extraction of a specific class of natural products, phenolic compounds, using different types of green deep eutectic solvents has been reviewed. Within this review, the composition of those solvents used to extract different types of phenolic compounds has been discussed. In addition, the factors affecting their extraction, extracting solvent component structure, molar ratio of extracting solvent components, extraction temperature, solid to extraction solvent ratio, and water content, have been evaluated.

In this literature review, the removal of heavy metals from aqueous media by an environmentally friendly method, known as biosorption has been discussed. Biosorption can be referred to as an alternative to the common unsustainable industrial methods currently used. Removal of heavy metals from aqueous media by biosorption can take place by the aid of different types of biomass including algae, fungi, bacteria and plants. The mechanism(s) of biosorption can vary accordingly, mechanisms include physical adsorption, ion exchange, complexation, precipitation and transport across the cells. The efficiency of removal of heavy metals by a specific biosorbent at specified conditions can be compared by the calculated biosorption capacity of the respected biosorbent. Several factors can influence the biosorption capacity of different biosorbents, that mainly includes water pH, temperature, contact time, biomass dosage and initial heavy metal concentration. This literature review focuses on the types of biosorbents, mechanisms of biosorption and factors affecting biosorption capacity. In addition, biosorption, as a method which has the potential of competing with common industrial methods has been critically analysed.

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Rind and aril of pomegranate (Punica granatum) were freeze-dried and extracted using solvents of varying polarity: petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Phytochemical investigations included qualitative detection of phytochemicals including phenols and tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, quinones, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids, and alkaloids. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of each extract were determined quantitatively. Methanolic and aqueous pomegranate rind extracts showed highest amount of phenolic and flavonoid content. The presence of gallic acid in pomegranate rind and aril was determined by GC-MS. Medicinal studies comprised of evaluating the antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial potential of the prepared extracts. According to 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay for antioxidant potential, methanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate rind and methanolic extract of pomegranate rind showed antioxidant activity of above 80%. Aqueous extract of pomegranate aril showed highest inhibition of alpha-amylase which was taken as antidiabetic activity according to 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay (DNSA assay). Methanolic and aqueous extracts of pomegranate rind were most effective in inhibiting the growth of a number of bacteria according to the disc diffusion method.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of probiotics in inducing body weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity with related metabolic diseases. The research was carried out on PubMed and Scopus, focusing on studies reporting the effect on anthropometric measures (weight, body mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) after administration of various probiotic strains compared to placebo. Twenty randomized controlled trials, that included 1411 patients, were considered. The meta-analyzed mean differences (MD) for random effects showed no significant decrease in body weight after probiotic supplementation (−0.26 kg [−075, 0.23], p = 0.30), while a significant BMI decrease was found (−0.73 kg/m2 [−1.31, −0.16], p = 0.01). For WC and HC, the meta-analyzed MD for random effects showed a significant decrease (WC: −0.71 cm [−1.24; −0.19], p = 0.008 and HC: −0.73 cm [−1.16; −0.30], p = 0.0008). The risk of bias was also evaluated considering a high risk and a low risk according to PRISMA criteria. In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis highlight a positive trend of probiotics supplementation on the amelioration of anthropometric measures of overweight and obese patients with related metabolic diseases. However, further research is needed before recommending the use of probiotics as a therapeutic strategy for these patients. The focus of the future research should be to evaluate the efficacy of different probiotic strains, the quantities to be administered, and the duration of the intervention.