In recent years, there has been an enormous interest in the green and sustainable analytical approach for analysis of bioactive phytochemicals in food, plants, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The term “Green Analytical Chemistry” was first proposed by de la Guardia and Ruzicka in 1995 with the aim to miniaturize, reduce and/or replace reagents/chemicals. A direct method that evades the use of reagents and solvents without waste generation is the ideal choice. Nevertheless, miniaturization, automation, the use of sustainable solvents and reduction in energy consumption are the fundamental principles to achieve green analytical chemistry. To ensure the analytical process is green, the reduction and/or replacement of existing extraction techniques with environmentally sustainable extraction techniques is a critical step. This can be largely attained by the choice of solvent in the current extraction techniques, as solvent type can in turn impact the effectiveness of bioactives/nutrients isolation, energy usage and emission.

The challenges of the 21st century launched by the competitiveness of the globalized market, food safety and environmental/human protection strongly required technological innovations that break away from the past conventional analytical methods and switch to green analytical methods for global sustainability. The design of green and sustainable extraction methods is currently a hot topic in the multidisciplinary area of applied chemistry including food, plants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics etc. ‘Green Extraction’ can be defined as the discovery and design of extraction processes which will reduce energy consumption, allows the use of alternative solvents and renewable natural products, and ensure a safe and high-quality extract/product. Three major solutions have been identified to design and demonstrate green extraction on laboratory and industrial scale to approach an optimal consumption of raw materials, solvents and energy: (1) improving and optimization of existing processes; (2) using non-dedicated equipment; and (3) innovation in processes and procedures but also in discovering alternative solvents. Six principles of green extraction include (1) Innovation in the selection of renewable resources, (2) Use of alternative environmental-safe and human-safe solvents, (3) Reduce energy consumption by energy recovery by using innovative technologies, (4) Production of co-products instead of waste, (5) Reduce unit operations and favor safe, robust and controlled processes and (6) Aim for a nondenatured and biodegradable extract without contaminants. These principles should provide us with the direction to establish ‘Best Available Technology’ by Green Chemistry validating the statement “We won’t make future products with the past processes”.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Green and sustainable analytical chemistry
• Green environmentally friendly solvents for extraction and analysis
• Green solvents in food analysis and for extraction of phytochemicals
• Green extraction techniques including Microwave-assisted and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, Pressurized and gas-expanded liquid extraction, Supercritical fluid/subcritical water extraction, Enzyme-assisted extraction, High hydrostatic pressure extraction, Electrically-assisted and ohmic-assisted extraction
• Sustainable and intensified extraction techniques
• Green extraction methods for bioactives/micronutrients from food/agro byproducts, wastes, fruits and vegetables, plants/plant products, cosmeceuticals, pharmaceuticals, food/agro byproducts and wastes
• Application of ionic liquids, deep eutectic, supramolecular solvents, liquid polymers, surfactants and hydrotropes-based solvents, switchable solvents

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