Methods in Ethnopharmacology Phytochemical Extraction, Isolation, and Detection Techniques

In the last decades, the search for new extraction and analysis methods of phytochemicals has been dramatically increased. In particular, new green approaches are more and more required for the extraction of such potentially bioactive compounds as well as suitable methods of analysis for a complex matrix, often containing very low concentration of bioactives.
This chapter presents and discusses the most innovative extraction methods (ultra-sound assisted, microwave-assisted, enzyme-assisted, pressurized liquid extraction, subcritical and supercritical fluids extraction, pulse electric field, deep eutectic solvent and ionic liquid extraction) in comparison with the conventional ones (maceration, Soxhlet, and liquid-liquid extraction). Microextraction techniques are also considered and discussed.
The most recent cost- and time-saving analytical methods, leading to the isolation and structural characterization of the compounds present in phytochemical extracts are reported, focusing of the main advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Spectroscopic techniques such as ultraviolet (UV–visible), infrared (IR and FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectroscopy are considered as the main detection tool providing qualitative and quantitative information.