Transforming Plant Waste into Resveratrol: A Greener Way

Scientists have found a new, eco-friendly method to turn plant waste into a valuable compound called resveratrol. They used a type of fungus called Aspergillus niger, attached to tiny cellulose particles, and a special liquid called deep eutectic solvent (DES) to make this happen. The goal was to improve the process of turning Polygonum cuspidatum, a plant, into resveratrol, which is known for its health benefits. First, they tested different types of DES to see which one worked best. They found that the more DES they used, the more it damaged the fungus's cells. However, they discovered that some DES made from natural ingredients, called NADES, were gentler on the fungus and worked better. Alcohol-based NADES were the most effective, followed by sugar-based and then organic acid-based ones. The best DES mixture was CHCL/EG, which worked best at a concentration of 1. 0 wt%. With the right conditions—a slightly basic environment (pH 6. 5), a temperature of 29. 5°C, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 20:1 (mL/g)—they could produce 32. 79 mg/g of resveratrol in 47 hours. This was a big improvement over not using any DES at all, which only yielded 2. 51 mg/g. Even after ten trials, the fungus-cellulose mixture still worked well, with 81. 46% of its original activity left. This new method is not only better for the environment but also more efficient than traditional ways of making resveratrol.

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