Aqueous Two-Phase Systems as a Robust Platform for Green Extraction of Bioactives in Plant-Based Products

Bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs) are potential lead compounds due to their remarkable pharmacological properties. However, extracting these SMs from plant-based samples is challenging and resource-intensive, often resulting in inaccurate outcomes due to the complexity of the samples. To tackle these challenges, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) present a promising solution due to their high water content, structural flexibility, and exceptional selectivity. Recent advancements have further improved their performance through the integration of deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, carbohydrates, amino acids, or copolymers. This study provides a comprehensive review of the advancements in ATPSs for the extraction, isolation, and purification of bioactive plant SMs, focusing on their efficiency and alignment with green chemistry principles. By gathering data from plant material extraction studies, it highlights the complementary role of ATPSs, their advantages, and efficacy in extraction processes. This review also highlights key technological advancements and challenges in both laboratory research and industrial applications. These challenges encompass the recovery and recycling of phase-forming components, the development of innovative phase-forming chemicals, the integration of advanced technological solutions, and the scaling up to industrial production. The goal is to offer insights into the practicality and reliability of ATPSs for the recovery of bioactive SMs.