Environmental sustainability

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 64 views

The Effect of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) on the Antioxidant Activity of Gambier Leaf Extract (Uncaria Gambir Roxb.)

Introduction

Gambir leaves (Uncaria Gambir Roxb.) have been widely used for their multifunctional properties, including their potential as a mixture of drugs with significant economic value. One of the key advantages of gambier extract is its ability to act as an effective antioxidant compound in fighting free radicals. However, the conventional extraction process of gambier leaves faces several challenges, including the use of organic solvents that can be harmful to health, high-cost, and have a bad impact on the environment. To overcome these problems, an environmentally friendly solution emerged in the form of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES).

The Importance of NADES in Extraction Processes

NADES have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional organic solvents. These solvents are composed of a mixture of two or more compounds that are typically solid at room temperature, but when combined, they form a eutectic mixture that has a lower melting point than either of the individual components. This property makes NADES an attractive option for extraction processes, as they can effectively dissolve and extract bioactive compounds from plants without the need for harsh chemicals.

Research Purposes and Methods

This study aims to explore the antioxidant activity of gambier leaf extract (Uncaria Gambir Roxb.) using NADES solvents. The research method employed in this study involves the use of NADES solvents in conjunction with the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method. The antioxidant activity of the resulting extract is then analyzed using the DPPH method (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), which is measured by UV-VIS spectrophotometry.

Research Results

The test results show that the extract using chloride chloride chloride-lactic acid (NADES KL) has a very strong antioxidant activity. The IC50 value obtained is as follows: 16.17 μg/ml at 30 minutes, 15.04 μg/ml at 60 minutes, 14.52 μg/ml at 120 minutes, 14.30 μg/ml in 180 minutes, and returned 15.04 μg/ml in the last test. Meanwhile, for chloride chloride-choline NADES extract (NADES KG), the IC50 value obtained also shows very strong antioxidant activity with successive yields of 15.04 μg/ml, 14.88 μg/ml, 14.56 μg/ml, 14.20 μg/ml, and optimal at 13.74 μg/ml after 180 minutes.

Conclusion and Future Directions

From this study, it can be concluded that gambier leaf extract using NADES solvents shows optimal antioxidant activity. NADES KG extract gives the best results with an IC50 value of 13.74 μg/ml during the extraction time of 180 minutes, while the NADES KL extract gives an IC50 value of 14.30 μg/ml during the extraction time of 120 minutes. This finding shows the potential of NADES as a safe and effective alternative in the extraction process of bioactive compounds from plants, especially gambier leaves, which can be raw materials in the development of medicinal and nutritional products.

With this result, it is essential to further explore the application of NADES in the extraction of other natural materials, as well as the potential for its sustainability in the pharmaceutical and food industry. The use of NADES can provide a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for the extraction of bioactive compounds, which can lead to the development of new and innovative products.

The Benefits of NADES in Extraction Processes

NADES offer several benefits in extraction processes, including:

Environmental sustainability: NADES are composed of natural compounds that are biodegradable and non-toxic, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional organic solvents.
Cost-effectiveness: NADES can be synthesized from inexpensive and readily available compounds, making them a cost-effective option for extraction processes.
Improved extraction efficiency: NADES can effectively dissolve and extract bioactive compounds from plants, resulting in improved extraction efficiency and higher yields.
Reduced solvent toxicity: NADES are non-toxic and biodegradable, reducing the risk of solvent toxicity and environmental contamination.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions for NADES include:

Exploring the application of NADES in the extraction of other natural materials: NADES have shown potential in the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, but their application in the extraction of other natural materials, such as animal-derived compounds, is still in its infancy.
Investigating the sustainability of NADES in the pharmaceutical and food industry: The use of NADES in the extraction of bioactive compounds can provide a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for the development of new and innovative products.
Developing new and innovative NADES formulations: The development of new and innovative NADES formulations can provide improved extraction efficiency, reduced solvent toxicity, and increased sustainability in extraction processes.

In conclusion, the use of NADES in the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, such as gambier leaves, shows great potential for the development of new and innovative products. The benefits of NADES, including environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, improved extraction efficiency, and reduced solvent toxicity, make them an attractive option for extraction processes. Future research directions for NADES include exploring their application in the extraction of other natural materials, investigating their sustainability in the pharmaceutical and food industry, and developing new and innovative NADES formulations.
Q&A: Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) and Their Applications

Introduction

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional organic solvents. In our previous article, we discussed the effect of NADES on the antioxidant activity of gambier leaf extract (Uncaria Gambir Roxb.). In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about NADES and their applications.

Q: What are NADES?

A: NADES are a type of solvent that is composed of a mixture of two or more compounds that are typically solid at room temperature. When combined, they form a eutectic mixture that has a lower melting point than either of the individual components. This property makes NADES an attractive option for extraction processes, as they can effectively dissolve and extract bioactive compounds from plants without the need for harsh chemicals.

Q: What are the benefits of using NADES?

A: NADES offer several benefits, including:

Environmental sustainability: NADES are composed of natural compounds that are biodegradable and non-toxic, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional organic solvents.
Cost-effectiveness: NADES can be synthesized from inexpensive and readily available compounds, making them a cost-effective option for extraction processes.
Improved extraction efficiency: NADES can effectively dissolve and extract bioactive compounds from plants, resulting in improved extraction efficiency and higher yields.
Reduced solvent toxicity: NADES are non-toxic and biodegradable, reducing the risk of solvent toxicity and environmental contamination.

Q: What are some of the common applications of NADES?

A: NADES have been used in a variety of applications, including:

Extraction of bioactive compounds: NADES have been used to extract bioactive compounds from plants, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes.
Pharmaceutical applications: NADES have been used in the development of new and innovative pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, capsules, and creams.
Food industry applications: NADES have been used in the food industry to extract flavor compounds and antioxidants from plants.
Cosmetic applications: NADES have been used in the development of new and innovative cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, and serums.

Q: What are some of the challenges associated with using NADES?

A: While NADES offer several benefits, there are also some challenges associated with their use, including:

Limited availability of NADES: NADES are still a relatively new and emerging technology, and there is limited availability of NADES formulations.
High cost of NADES: While NADES can be cost-effective in the long run, the initial cost of NADES formulations can be high.
Limited understanding of NADES properties: There is still limited understanding of the properties of NADES, which can make it difficult to predict their behavior in different applications.

Q: What is the future of NADES?

A: The future of NADES is bright, with ongoing research and development aimed at improving their properties and applications. Some of the potential future applications of NADES include:

Development of new and innovative NADES formulations: Researchers are working to develop new and innovative NADES formulations that can be used in a variety of applications.
Improved understanding of NADES properties: Ongoing research is aimed at improving our understanding of the properties of NADES, which can help to predict their behavior in different applications.
Increased adoption of NADES in industry: As the benefits of NADES become more widely recognized, we expect to see increased adoption of NADES in industry, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Conclusion

NADES offer a promising alternative to traditional organic solvents, with benefits including environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, improved extraction efficiency, and reduced solvent toxicity. While there are still some challenges associated with using NADES, ongoing research and development are aimed at improving their properties and applications. As the benefits of NADES become more widely recognized, we expect to see increased adoption of NADES in industry, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food industries.