Innovative Green Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Chicory (Cichorium Intybus) Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

Abstract

Introduction: Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties, owing to its bioactive components, with flavonoids and phenolic acids being the most significant. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are increasingly used as an alternative to conventional solvents in the extraction of active compounds, thanks to their non-toxicity.
Goal: To investigate the efficiency of flavonoid and phenolic acid ultrasound extraction from chicory herb and root using NADES and to compare the results with extracts obtained using conventional solvents–70% ethanol, methanol, and water.
Material and methods: A total of sixteen samples were examined, eight samples of chicory herb and eight samples of chicory root. Extraction was performed using five different NADES, 70% ethanol, methanol, and water. NADES were prepared by mixing and heating. The content of phenolic acids and flavonoids was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results: Ten bioactive compounds were identified and quantified in the analyzed extracts: phenolic acids gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, para-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid and epicatechin quercetin, and naringenin from flavonoids. In eight out of ten extracts obtained using NADES, the content of bioactive compounds was significantly higher compared to extracts obtained using conventional solvents–70% ethanol, methanol, and water.
Conclusion: In this study, the efficiency of extracting phenolic acids and flavonoids from the root and herb of chicory using NADES was analysed and confirmed. The use of novel green solvents resulted in significantly higher yields of phenolic compounds compared to conventional solvents.