Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds (Paperback)

Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: From Plants to Drug Development draws together the expert knowledge of researchers from around the world to outline the essential knowledge and techniques required to successfully extract bioactive compounds for further study. The book is a practical tool for medicinal chemists, biochemists, pharmaceutical scientists and academics working in the discovery and development of drugs from natural sources.

The discovery and extraction of bioactive plant compounds from natural sources is of growing interest to drug developers, adding greater fuel to a simultaneous search for efficient, green technologies to support this. Particularly promising are aqueous based methods, as water is a cheap, safe and abundant solvent. Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds: From Plants to Drug Development is a detailed guide to the fundamental concepts and considerations needed to successfully undertake such processes, supported by application examples and highlighting the most influential variables.

Beginning with an introduction to plants as sources of drugs, the book highlights the need for a move towards both more rational and greener techniques in the field, and presents multiple innovative water-based strategies for the discovery and extraction of bioactive constituents of botanicals. A broad range of available techniques are reviewed, including conventional and pressurized hot water extraction techniques, intensified processes such as microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted processes, and enzyme assisted extraction, and processes using combined techniques.

• Covers the theoretical background and range of techniques available to researchers, helping them to select the most appropriate extraction method for their needs
• Presents up-to-date and cutting edge applications by international experts
• Highlights current use and future potential for industrial scale applications
• Offers a thorough introduction to plants as sources of drugs, highlighting strategies for the discovery of novel bioactive constituents of botanicals

Dr. Herminia Domínguez received her PhD Degree in Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela. She is professor of Chemical Engineering at University of Vigo (Spain), where she has been working on the extraction of bioactive compounds from underutilized and residual sources using green technologies, particularly pressurized solvents and membrane technology.

María Jesús González Muñoz is Chemical Engineer from the University of Oviedo (Spain) where she completed her PhD on the recovery of organic compounds from aqueous streams using membrane technologies. She worked as postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vigo (Spain) on the extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from vegetable biomass and mushrooms. Currently, she works at the private industry in the analytical quality control of textile/cosmetic industry but continues as an external collaborator at the University of Vigo.