Obtaining antioxidants from botanic matrices applying novel extraction techniques.

Botanic matrices are abundant sources of antioxidants which have the capacity to avoid the lipid o xidation of food and present remarkab le health benefits. The natural antioxidants might be obtained applying many extraction techniques. Satisfactory results of obtaining extracts with antio xidant properties and high yields using modern extraction techniques are shown by recent studies. The selection of the suitable technique depends on the desired class of substances to be extracted. In this overview, the advances reached in scientific researches involving natural antio xidants are presented. The advantages and potential applicat ions of four novel ext raction techniques: Supercritical Flu id Ext raction, Pressurized Liquid Extraction, M icro wave Assisted Extraction and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction are discussed, considering the characteristics of the target compounds. These techniques reduce the solvent consumption and abridge the extraction time. Consequently, the process productivity is increased.