A green deep eutectic solvent-based aqueous two-phase system combined with chemometrics for flavonoids extracting and detecting in honey

In this study, an eco-friendly and designable aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) was developed using natural deep eutectic solvents (DES) and short-chain alcohols. The formation mechanism and influence of various factors on phase behavior were investigated. Optimal extraction parameters were determined through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM): 45 °C temperature, 45 % <i>n</i>-propanol, 40 % DES, and 0.06 mL quercetin working standard solution. Based on the alternating trilinear decomposition assisted multiple curve resolution (ATLD-MCR) algorithm, a calibration model was established for simultaneous and rapid quantitative analysis of flavonoids in Acacia honey, achieving 74.0-86.6 % accuracy and 0.82-2.20 % standard deviation. Moreover, the green chemistry metrics of development method was evaluated using analytical greenness (AGREE) and compared with earlier published methods in the literature. The results indicated that this novel combination strategy of DES-based ATPS with chemometrics conforms to the principles of green chemistry, and is suitable for extracting active components from plants.