Microwave: An Ecologically Innovative, Green Extraction Technology

Abstract

Background: Recently, microwave has shown tremendous research interest and potential for the extraction of phytoconstituents from plant resources as there is a need for the advancement of high performance in the extraction method. Extraction is the first basic step for the preparation of crude extract followed by isolation, characterization of isolated components related to current analytical chemistry. The current use of microwave implements green technology and satisfies the demand of getting the maximum yield of the target compound. Method: Research articles related to the current research topics on Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) were collected and reviewed. Results: MAE promises to be a novel extraction technique for the extraction of phytoconstituents from natural sources than other conventional extraction techniques. Conclusion: Microwave assisted extraction is proved to be advantageous as this method permits specificity, higher yield, selectivity, and extraction efficiency over traditional methods such as Soxhlet extraction, maceration and others along with reduced time and solvent consumption, less environmental pollution, and reduced degradation of thermolabile constituents.

Progress on the Extraction, Separation, Biological Activity, and Delivery of Natural Plant Pigments

“…The solvent used for the extraction, microwave time, stirring, and temperature influenced the microwave extraction. Long term microwave heating can change the extract’s properties [ 101 ]. Sharma et al [ 102 ] used the microwave-assisted extraction method to extract betaine and betaaxanthin from tricolor amaranth leaves and characterized them using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.…”

Response Surface Methodology: An Optimal Design for Maximising the Efficiency of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Total Phenolic Compounds from Coriandrum sativum Leaves

“…MAE offers advantages such as reduced extraction times, higher yields, and lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods like Soxhlet extraction and maceration [13]. The success of MAE relies on factors like solvent choice, exposure time, temperature, and equipment specifications [14]. Additionally, the unique heating mechanism of microwaves allows for quicker extraction processes and better preservation of thermolabile compounds compared to conventional heating methods [15,16].…”