Neoteric solvent

Description

A class of natural bioactive compounds that can be extracted from food processing waste and biomass waste (cellulose products). Neoteric solvents can replace conventional organic solvents for extractions and thus are considered a greener alternative. Since these solvents are prepared from starting components of natural origin, they are inherently non-toxic, sustainable, economical and environmentally viable. Most have properties such as thermal stability, low vapor pressure, low toxicity, non-volatility, air and water stability, recyclability and good solvent recovery.

Subsets of these bioactive substances include:

• Ionic liquids: compounds composed entirely of ions and are in liquid state under 100°C. They are regarded as designer solvents given that their physical attributes can be regulated by the combination of different sets of anions and cations.
• Eutectic solvents: compounds composed of hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs). The HBDs are amines, amino acids, alcohols, sugars and carboxylic acids, whereas quaternary ammonium salts act as the HBAs. Most have a melting point below 150°C and a few are below 50 °C.
• Bio-based solvents: compounds obtained from biomass through fermentation, esterification or enzymatic processes. They include furfural, lactic acids, levulinic acid, fatty acid esters, hydroxymethylfurfural and their esters, glycols, terpenes alcohols of low molecular weight and glycerol derivatives.

Synonyms and Related Terms

bio-solvent; ionic liquid; eutectic solvent; biomass-derived solvents

Resources and Citations

• Raquel Cañadas, María González-Miquel, Emilio J. González, Ismael Díaz, Manuel Rodríguez, 'Overview of neoteric solvents as extractants in food industry: A focus on phenolic compounds separation from liquid streams', Food Research International, Volume 136, 2020. Link