Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Combined with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for the Extraction of Curcuminoids from Turmeric
Background: Curcuminoids, the bioactive compounds found in turmeric, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aims to enhance the extraction of curcuminoids from turmeric using environmentally friendly solvents supercritical CO<sub>2</sub>...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceuticals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/12/1596 |
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| Summary: | Background: Curcuminoids, the bioactive compounds found in turmeric, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aims to enhance the extraction of curcuminoids from turmeric using environmentally friendly solvents supercritical CO<sub>2</sub> (scCO<sub>2</sub>) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) in one process, and to evaluate the resulting biological activity. Methods: A Box–Behnken statistical design was applied to optimize scCO<sub>2</sub> extraction conditions—pressure, CO<sub>2</sub> volume, and temperature—to maximize curcuminoid yield. Next, the menthol and lactic acid NADESs were selected, and these two solvents were combined into a single turmeric extraction process. The biological activity of the resulting extract was evaluated using antioxidant assays (ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and enzyme inhibition assays (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Toxicity assessments were conducted on the aquatic invertebrates <i>Daphnia pulex</i>, <i>Artemia</i> sp., and <i>Chironomus aprilinus</i>. Results: The most effective extraction was achieved using a menthol–lactic acid NADES as a cosolvent, integrated at a 1:20 ratio of plant material to NADESs while in combination with scCO<sub>2</sub>. The optimized scCO<sub>2</sub>–NADES extraction resulted in a high curcuminoid yield (33.35 mg/g), outperforming scCO<sub>2</sub> extraction (234.3 μg/g), NADESs ultrasound-assisted extraction (30.50 mg/g), and alcohol-based solvents (22.95–26.42 mg/g). In biological assays, the extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and effective inhibition of enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Toxicity studies showed a concentration-dependent response, with EC<sub>50</sub> for <i>Chironomus aprilinus</i> at the level of 0.098 μL/mL and <i>Daphnia pulex</i> exhibiting high sensitivity to the extract. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of combining NADESs and scCO<sub>2</sub> extraction in one process, demonstrating the effectiveness of scCO<sub>2</sub>–NADES extraction in maximizing curcuminoid yield and enhancing bioactivity. |
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| ISSN: | 1424-8247 |