Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Green Extraction Media for Nutritional and Functional Bioactives

Plants are indispensable to life on Earth and provide diverse natural products supporting nutritional, medicinal, industrial, and cultural needs. Phytometabolomics enables comprehensive profiling of plant metabolites, a capability greatly enhanced by advances in mass spectrometry techniques. However, challenges in sample preparation and solvent selection limit extraction efficiency and metabolite stability. In this context, green chemistry has introduced DES/NADES as sustainable alternatives to conventional solvents. NADES offer tunable composition, enhanced extraction efficiency, and improved stabilization of labile compounds along with low toxicity and biodegradability. This review highlights the application of NADES in the extraction of bioactives, presents a critical comparison with conventional solvents, and evaluates their compatibility with emerging extraction techniques. It also addresses key limitations, including high viscosity, challenges in standardization, and concerns related to scalability and safety. Collectively, NADES offer a promising and eco-friendly strategy for advancing phytometabolomics with broad implications for pharmaceutical, food, and natural product research.