EXTRACTION AND VALORIZATION OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES FROM MEDICINAL PLANTS – A PERSPECTIVE FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FARMS IN ROMANIA

Medicinal plants represent an important resource for diversifying agricultural production and creating new economic opportunities in rural areas. The extraction of active principles from these plants is becoming increasingly significant, as the demand for natural, ecological, and high-quality products continues to rise on both domestic and international markets. In this context, the present paper is a review study that analyses the role and potential of extraction technologies for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, highlighting their applicability on farms and their contribution to the development of sustainable agriculture. Beyond their economic importance, modern extraction technologies can contribute to sustainable development through several mechanisms: economically, by enabling the production of value-added products and reducing dependence on conventional crops; ecologically, by employing efficient and environmentally friendly procedures that minimize resource consumption and waste; and socially, by generating new employment opportunities and supporting farmers’ access to local markets.