Recovery of Bioactive Plant Compounds from Biomass Waste Using Sustainable Methods: A Review

Abstract

The circular bioeconomy promotes sustainable use of renewable biomass to maximise resource efficiency and minimise environmental impact. Residual plant biomass, abundant in high-value bioactive phytochemicals such as terpenes, phenolics, and nitrogen-containing compounds, represents an underutilised resource for producing pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food ingredients. Selective and environmentally friendly extraction of these compounds remains challenging due to complex plant matrices and the need to reduce hazardous solvent use. Here we review recent advances in green extraction and purification techniques-including supercritical fluid extraction, deep eutectic solvents, and enzymatic methods-tailored for scalable recovery of bioactive secondary metabolites from agricultural and medicinal plant residues. Integrating these sustainable technologies within biorefinery frameworks enables efficient valorisation of biomass byproducts, contributing to waste reduction and fostering circular, sustainable production systems. This review underscores the potential and challenges of implementing green extraction processes to advance bioeconomy goals..