Advancing NADES-Based Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Marine Resources

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) are increasingly investigated as sustainable alternatives to conventional extraction solvents, supporting the principles of green chemistry and the valorization of biomass within a circular economy. Although most studies have focused on terrestrial plant materials, marine biomass — including macroalgae, microalgae, and derived residues — remains comparatively underexplored. These resources contain valuable pigments such as fucoxanthin and phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides including fucoidan, ulvan, and alginate, as well as phlorotannins and proteins. However, their high water, salt, and polysaccharide contents create specific challenges related to matrix complexity, mass transfer, solvent selectivity, extract recovery, and process scalability. Recent advances in computational solvent design, hydrophobic NADES, process intensification, and the combined extraction and stabilization of bioactive compounds are helping to address these challenges. Nevertheless, important gaps remain in mechanistic understanding, solvent recovery and reuse, standardization, sustainability assessment, and the safety and regulatory evaluation of NADES-based extracts.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and application of NADES for the sustainable extraction and valorization of bioactive compounds from marine biomass. It will provide a platform for evaluating solvent composition, solute–solvent interactions, extraction performance, process intensification, and the translation of laboratory-scale approaches toward reliable, scalable, and environmentally responsible applications. Particular attention will be given to research that combines experimental evidence with computational modelling, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and comprehensive characterization of both extracts and solvent systems.We welcome original research, reviews, perspectives, and methods addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Rational design and optimization of NADES using COSMO-RS, molecular modelling, machine learning, and other computational approaches;• Hydrophilic and hydrophobic NADES for the selective extraction of polar and lipophilic marine bioactive compounds;• Recovery of pigments, carotenoids, phlorotannins, lipids, proteins, peptides, sulfated polysaccharides, and other high-value marine metabolites and constituentsl• Process intensification using ultrasound, microwave irradiation, enzymatic treatment, pressurized systems, and related technologies;• In situ extraction, stabilization, and formulation of ready-to-use marine bioactive extracts;• Solute–NADES interactions, extraction mechanisms, solvent selectivity, and mass-transfer phenomena;• Recovery, purification, recycling, and reuse of NADES and target compounds from viscous extraction media;• Life-cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and other approaches for verifying the sustainability of extraction processes;• Standardization of experimental protocols, analytical methods, and reporting criteria;• Development and validation of analytical methods for the identification, quantification, profiling, and quality assessment of marine bioactive compounds and NADES-based extracts;• Toxicity, biodegradability, bioavailability, and regulatory acceptance of NADES and NADES-based extracts for food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and related applications. Topic editors: Jose Ricardo Perez, Massoud Kaykhaii, Nicolás F. Gajardo Parra Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85121/advancing-nades-based-extraction-of-bioactive-compounds-from-marine-resources