Ricerc@Sapienza

In recent times, the feasibility of sourcing the bioactivity and health-promoting activity of anthocyanins, flavanols, stilbenes and phenolic acids from viticulture and winery by-products was explored. In particular, pomace, wine lees, and pruning stalks attracted a great deal of interest among scientists, technologists, and businesses. Traditional solid-liquid extraction methods employ hazardous solvents, such as hydrocarbons, alcohols and chloro-alkanes.

A switchable-hydrophilicity solvent system, consisting of a fatty acid-based natural deep eutectic solvent
(NaDES), complemented by a bio-friendly dilute amine solution, has been introduced. The potential of
the most benign switchable solvent system has been characterised in microalgae biorefining according
to the recently proposed ‘Circular Extraction’ scheme.

This chapter covers sustainable techniques to perform a market-neutral biomass fractionation developed in laboratories, techniques targeting a substantial incorporation of the green chemistry principles, the paradigmatic shifts, and the role of green solvent technology in designing the future of biorefineries.