What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from Dalbergia pinnata using green chemistry techniques.

May 14, 2026Open Access

Construction of Green System for Flavonoids from Dalbergia Pinnata (Lour.) Prain Based on NADES-UAE: Intelligent Optimization–Molecular Mechanism–Activity Verification

Key Points

This research aims to optimize the extraction of flavonoids from Dalbergia pinnata using green chemistry techniques.
Flavonoids extracted via NADES-13 and UAE, optimizing conditions with response surface methodology, N=13 synthesizations.
Utilized ChCl–urea as the best NADES for extraction; determined optimal parameters including molar ratio and extraction time.
Extracted flavonoids reached 117.95 ± 5.97 mg/g, outperforming 80% EtOH extraction by 73.5%.
NADES-13 demonstrated superior extraction efficacy with RSM showing R = 0.9981, compared to MLP and RF.
In vitro results indicated 96.87 ± 5.09% antibacterial inhibition against Escherichia coli at 0.04 mg/mL.

Abstract

To promote green chemistry and improve the utilization of plant resources, flavonoids from Dalbergia pinnata (Lour.) Prain were extracted in this study by combining NADES (natural deep eutectic solvents) with UAE (ultrasound-assisted extraction). Among the 13 synthesized NADES, choline chloride (ChCl)–urea (NADES-13) exhibited the highest extraction rate, outperforming traditional organic solvents. The optimal conditions determined by response surface methodology (RSM) were as follows: ChCl–urea molar ratio of 1:3, moisture content of 60%, liquid-to-material ratio of 28.5 mL/g, ultrasonic extraction time of 49 min, and temperature of 62 °C. Under these conditions, the extraction rate reached 117.95 ± 5.97 mg/g, a 73.5% improvement compared with 80% EtOH extraction. The comparison of the two algorithms showed that RSM (R = 0.9981, RMSE = 0.6570) had better fitting accuracy and prediction stability under small sample conditions than MLP (R = 0.9427, RMSE = 5.261) and RF (R = 0.9431, RMSE = 5.2442). DFT (density functional theory) analysis demonstrated that hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals forces, and cation–π interactions mediate the interaction between NADES-13 and flavonoids. Ultrasonic cavitation-induced cell wall damage and the hydrogen-bond network of NADES-13 were confirmed separately by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). In vitro experiments showed that the extract possessed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity and strong antibacterial activity, with an inhibition rate of 96.87 ± 5.09% against Escherichia coli at a concentration of 0.04 mg/mL. In this study, a “Smart Optimization–Molecular Mechanism–Activity Verification” green extraction system was developed, which offers an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for extracting plant bioactive components and contributes to the progress of green chemistry.

Construction of Green System for Flavonoids from Dalbergia Pinnata (Lour.) Prain Based on NADES-UAE: Intelligent Optimization–Molecular Mechanism–Activity Verification

Key Points

Abstract

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