Enhanced Extraction through Microwave-Assisted Technologies: Exploring New Analytical Frontiers

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has gained increasing attention as a rapid, efficient, and eco-friendly technique for isolating target compounds from complex matrices. This project aims to develop microwave-assisted extraction methods to optimize extraction efficiency, minimize solvent consumption, and reduce sample preparation time.
The versatility of this technology could be applied to increase the extraction efficiency, to perform rapid saponification, and to combine different separation steps as saponification + extraction, or extraction+derivatization, particularly thanks to the use of a close system that allow to increase the temperature over the boiling point of the solvent avoiding losses of volatiles . The validity of methods has been proven for FAMEs, Sterols, and MOSH&MOAH.
More recently, a new system incorporating high pressure has opened new perspectives, allowing to significantly reduce the solvent volume used, while at the same time offering an inert environment to avoid oxidation of sensitive compounds. Moreover, some preliminary trials have been performed to convert the system to supercritical fluid extraction, using CO2. . If successful, this prototype could offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional extraction techniques, aligning with the principles of green analytical chemistry and providing new solutions for complex analytical challenges.