Vol. 7, Issue 3 (2018)

Author(s):
Promila and Sushila Singh

Abstract:
With increasing ecological and economical concerns, Green Chemistry has become more important for “greening” of various chemical processes. Green chemistry is providing various kinds of “green” solvents that can be employed for the extraction and isolation of various therapeutically important phytoconstituents from plants. As medicinal plants form backbone of traditional system of medicine in developing countries. Medicinal plants are source of natural antioxidants such as phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols etc. So replacement of conventional solvents by eco-friendly green solvents for phytoextraction can revolutionize the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Present review article focuses on the importance of various green and alternative solvents viz. supercritical fluids, subcritical water and ethyl lactate in extraction of various phytoconstituents.