molecules 2-Methyloxolane (2-MeOx) as Sustainable Lipophilic Solvent to Substitute Hexane for Green Extraction of Natural Products. Properties, Applications, and Perspectives

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 25; no. 15
• Main Authors: Rapinel, Vincent, Claux, Ombéline, Abert-Vian, Maryline, Mcalinden, Christine, Bartier, Mickael, Patouillard, Norbert, Jacques, Laurence, Chemat, Farid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 01.08.2020
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Biodiversity and Ecology; Chemical and Process Engineering; Chemical Sciences; Engineering Sciences; Environmental Sciences; 2-MeTHF; hexane; 2-methyloxolane; bio-based solvent; green extraction; 2-MeOx
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153417

This review presents a complete picture of current knowledge on 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx), a bio-based solvent for the extraction of natural products and food ingredients. It provides the necessary background about the properties of 2-MeOx, not only its solvent power and extraction efficiency, but its detailed toxicological profile and environmental impacts are discussed. We compared 2-MeOx with hexane which is the most used petroleum-based solvent for extraction of lipophilic natural products. The final part focuses on successful industrial transfer, including technologic, economic, and safety impacts. The replacement of petroleum-based solvents is a hot research topic, which affects several fields of modern plant-based chemistry. All the reported applications have shown that 2-MeOx is an environmentally and economically viable alternative to conventional petroleum-based solvents for extraction of lipophilic foodstuff and natural products.