Recovery of bioactive plant compounds from biomass waste using sustainable methods: a review

Abstract

The circular bioeconomy promotes the sustainable use of renewable biomass to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. In this context, residual plant biomass is an underutilised feedstock rich in high-value bioactive phytochemicals, including terpenes, phenolic compounds, and nitrogen-containing metabolites, with applications in the food, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. However, their selective recovery remains challenging due to the complexity of plant matrices and the technical, economic, and environmental constraints of conventional extraction processes. This review critically examines recent advances in green extraction and purification technologies for the recovery of bioactive secondary metabolites from agricultural and medicinal plant residues. Environmentally benign and intensified methodologies—such as supercritical fluid extraction, deep eutectic solvents, microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction, and enzyme-assisted processes—are discussed with emphasis on matrix-dependent behaviour, scalability limitations, and integration potential within biorefinery frameworks. Techno-economic aspects, including capital and operational costs, industrial feasibility, and broader environmental, circularity, and societal considerations, are also addressed. Overall, this review provides a balanced perspective on the opportunities and limitations of sustainable bioactive recovery pathways.