Water Extraction of Bioactive Compounds ― From Plants to Drug Development

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. The book is a detailed guide to the fundamental concepts and necessary equipment needed to successfully undertake such processes, supported by application examples and highlighting the most influential variables.

Part 1 begins with a thorough introduction to plants as sources of drugs, highlighting strategies for the discovery of novel bioactive constituents of botanicals, the need for standardization and a move toward more rational and greener techniques in the field, the development of plant-based extraction processes and pretreatments for the efficient extraction. Part 2 then reviews a broad range of available techniques, including sections on conventional hot water extraction and pressurized hot water extraction in a range of settings. Intensified processes are then discussed in detail, including sections on microwave-assisted processes, ultrasound-assisted processes and enzyme assisted extraction.

• 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