Recent Progress in the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents to Natural Edible Essential Oils

doi:10.7506/spkx1002-6630-20250725-196

FOOD SCIENCE ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 334-344.doi: 10.7506/spkx1002-6630-20250725-196

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Recent Progress in the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents to Natural Edible Essential Oils

LI Ruyi, FU Jina, CHEN Mianhong, LI Wenyang, ZENG Fanke, GAO Yuanyuan, ZHOU Wei

(1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Crop Products Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Products Processing Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Zhanjiang 524001, China; 2. College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; 3. College of Tropical Crops, Yunnan Agricultural University, Pu’er 665099, China)

Online:2026-02-25 Published:2026-03-16

Abstract

Abstract: Natural food-grade essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds extracted from plants, typically characterized by their oily properties and ability to impart a distinctive aroma and flavor to food products. However, they suffer from limitations such as low extraction yield, poor solubility, and high volatility, which considerably limit their application in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Deep eutectic solvents (DES), as innovative green solvents, have found application in the extraction, separation, and encapsulation and delivery of natural essential oils due to their environmentally friendly nature, low cost, and excellent biodegradability. Therefore, this review systematically examines the basic characteristics of DES, their mechanisms of action in the extraction and separation of essential oil, and recent advances in their application to natural food-grade essential oils, aiming to provide theoretical support for developing innovative green extraction technologies for high-quality natural edible essential oils and expanding their application.

Key words: deep eutectic solvents; natural edible essential oils; extraction mechanism; separation mechanism; application

CLC Number:

TS201.2

LI Ruyi, FU Jina, CHEN Mianhong, LI Wenyang, ZENG Fanke, GAO Yuanyuan, ZHOU Wei. Recent Progress in the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents to Natural Edible Essential Oils[J]. FOOD SCIENCE, 2026, 47(4): 334-344.

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Recent Progress in the Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents to Natural Edible Essential Oils

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