Towards Sustainable Horizons: Advancing the Recovery of Valuable Bioactives from Plant Biomass by Microwave-Assisted Extraction
Abstract
The paradigm shift towards wellness, healthy lifestyles, and the deterrence of socially significant diseases has directed scientific interest towards the sustainable extraction of bioactive substances from plant biomass or biowaste. To achieve the recovery of high-quality, enriched extracts containing valuable compounds with preserved activity and stability, advanced techniques are essential. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is a cutting-edge extraction method for the valorization of biomass and/or biowaste, which has a crucial role in promoting the principles of bio-innovations and bio-circular economy. When compared to conventional techniques, it can substantially decrease the risks to the environment and humans, particularly when eco-friendly solvents that are recommended in the CHEM21 selection guide are used. Though MAE may achieve high selectivity, it is still compound-dependent, driven by differences in microwave absorption, dielectric behavior, and matrix–solvent interactions across diverse metabolite classes. This advanced technique offers an eco-friendly replacement for conventional extraction, sharply decreasing environmental and health risks. This review presents the current state of plant biomass valorization to secondary metabolites of four classes of compounds by applying MAE, compares its efficiency with that of other techniques, addresses recent developments and challenges, and explores its future perspectives.