It is therefore necessary to develop eco-friendly methods reducing both energy and solvent consumption.
Herbs contain many biologically active substances that may be of interest for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, in order to use these substances first several tasks need to be solved. In particular, it is necessary (a) to analyze the individual parts of herbs and find out what useful substances they contain; subsequently, (b) procedures for the separation and isolation of the target substances from the herb matrix needs to be developed. However, due to the lack of extraction methods, many bioactive compounds remain hidden from further exploitation. It is therefore necessary to develop eco-friendly methods reducing both energy and solvent consumption. Afterwards, (c) the isolated products need to be analyzed.