Use of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) in Food Science and Food Processing

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are a new class of solvent systems with applications in the food industry. Due to their reduced toxicity and their enhanced biodegradability over traditional fossil-fuel based solvents, NADESs are seen as environmentally friendly, “green” solvents. The review covers their use in the extraction of nutritionally valuable molecules, including biopolymers from plants and from agricultural and food wastes. NADESs are used in the preservation of fruits and vegetables, in active packaging or direct produce coating. They also play a role in flavor and food enhancement applications and can be used in food analysis. Current limitations as to recovery methods of the target compounds from the extracts, the scale-up of operations, costs and regulations are discussed in the review. Some of the start-up companies are introduced that develop DES/NADES solvents for the market, thereby accelerating the shift from petroleum-based solvents to green solvents.