A comprehensive review of ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) for bioactive components: Principles, advantages, equipment, and combined technologies

Abstract

The increasing focus on health and well-being has sparked a rising interest in bioactive components in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. These components are gaining popularity due to their potential benefits for overall health. The growing interest has resulted in a continuous rise in demand for bioactive components, leading to the exploration of both edible and non-edible sources to obtain these valuable substances. Traditional extraction methods like solvent extraction, distillation, and pressing have certain drawbacks, including lower extraction efficiency, reduced yield, and the use of significant amounts of solvents or resources. Furthermore, certain extraction methods necessitate high temperatures, which can adversely affect certain bioactive components. Consequently, researchers are exploring non-thermal technologies to develop environmentally friendly and efficient extraction methods. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) is recognized as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient extraction technology. The UAE has the potential to minimize or eliminate the need for organic solvents, thereby reducing its impact on the environment. Additionally, UAE has been found to significantly enhance the production of target bioactive components, making it an attractive method in the industry. The emergence of ultrasonic assisted extraction equipment (UAEE) has presented novel opportunities for research in chemistry, biology, pharmaceuticals, food, and other related fields. However, there is still a need for further investigation into the main components and working modes of UAEE, as current understanding in this area remains limited. Therefore, additional research and exploration are necessary to enhance our knowledge and optimize the application of UAEE. The core aim of this review is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles, benefits and impact on bioactive components of UAE, explore the different types of equipment used in this technique, examine the various working modes and control parameters employed in UAE, and provide a detailed overview of the blending of UAE with other emerging extraction technologies. In conclusion, the future development of UAEE is envisioned to focus on achieving increased efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced safety, and improved reliability. These key areas of advancement aim to optimize the performance and practicality of UAEE, making it a more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable extraction technology.

Keywords: Bioactive components; Combined technologies; Equipment; Extract; Ultrasonic assisted extraction.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Evolution of publications about UAE since 2010 (The search terms used for this chart were ultrasonic extraction or ultrasound extraction, and the database is WEB OF SCIENCE).

Fig. 2

The cavitation effect of ultrasonic.

Fig. 3

The mechanism of ultrasonic assisted extraction. (a) indicates that ultrasonic will act on intact cell. (b) indicates cell rupture after ultrasonic treatment. (c) indicates that the bioactive components are released.

Fig. 4

Comparison between traditional extraction technique and developed UAE.

Fig. 5

Factors affecting the extraction effect of UAE.

Fig. 6

Tubular ultrasonic reactor (a) and Countercurrent ultrasonic (b).

Fig. 7

Ultrasonic bath (a,b) and Ultrasonic probe (c,d).

Fig. 8

Dual-frequency multi-angle ultrasonic (a) and Tangential flow ultrasonic (b).

Fig. 9

Dual-frequency sequential ultrasonic (a,b,c) and Dual-frequency simultaneous ultrasonic (d,e,f).

Fig. 10

The combination of UAEE and other extraction technologies.