Extraction and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Plants

Abstract

Plants produce a wide range of bioactive compounds that contribute to defense, adaptation, growth, and interactions with their environment. Many of these compounds have potential applications in medicine, nutrition, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology. Efficient extraction and reliable characterization are essential for identifying these substances and evaluating their biological properties. Extraction depends on factors such as plant species, plant part, solvent polarity, temperature, time, particle size, and extraction technology. Separation and purification can then be achieved through chromatographic and related techniques, while structural characterization commonly employs spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. This paper examines nine major dimensions of the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds from plants, including plant selection, extraction principles, conventional and advanced extraction methods, separation, analytical characterization, bioactivity assessment, quality control, and emerging technologies.