Extraction Mechanism of Hesperidin from Citrus aurantium L. Using a Novel Deep Eutectic Solvent: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Abstract

In order to extract hesperidin from Citrus aurantium L. through green and efficient ways, a novel method based on deep eutectic solvent (DES) assisted extraction has been developed. Compared to known alkali extraction and acid precipitation or organic solvent (ethanol, methanol) extraction, this new DES system of choline chloride/diethanolamine (DES-14) method exhibited excellent extraction efficiency for hesperidin. Under optimal conditions, the extraction yield of hesperidin reached 6.26 ± 0.05%. Further studies with infrared spectroscopy, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance, and density functional theory showed the DES-14 was formed mainly through the interaction of H-bond and van der Waals forces. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and density functional theory revealed the strong dissolving capacity, and the H-bond formation between DES-14 and hesperidin, as well as van der Waals forces all contributed to efficient extraction of hesperidin. The results provide a new strategy for efficient extraction and utilization of hesperidin in Citrus.