Advances in deep eutectic solvents as extracting media toward heavy metals from natural, processed and commercialized food products

Today, a new class of green solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs), have been involved in multiple applications, including extraction of a vast number of biomolecules (phenolics, antioxidants, CO₂, etc.) and food contaminants (such as heavy metals). Major attention has been paid to the extraction of heavy metals; however, no report reviewing the progress has been made. Likewise, great advances in extraction and separation strategies using DESs as extracting media have been reported recently, forcing us to analyze the relevant developments over the last three years. Hence, this review critically revises the progress in the applicability of DESs for extracting different heavy metals from food products (natural products, commercial products and related items). This paper highlights the strategies for using DESs in this selective extraction, the extraction mechanism, DES features (chemistry, polarity) and the most relevant insights provided by the scientists.