Terpenoid-based hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for efficient recovery of mandelic acid from aqueous media
Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, vol.103, no.11, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 103 Issue: 11
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jics.2026.103110
- Journal Name: Journal of the Indian Chemical Society
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE
- Keywords: Deep eutectic solvent, Extraction, Mandelic acid, Terpenoid-based solvent
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Mandelic acid is a valuable chemical extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry and in a wide range of dermatological formulations due to its bioactivity. The separation of mandelic acid from aqueous media using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) is of great importance in terms of process efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and minimized waste generation. In this study, we present an extraction technique employing HDES as an efficient and sustainable alternative for the recovery of this important compound from the fermentation medium. Various terpenoid-based HDESs were to be utilized as solvents in extraction by using eucalyptol, menthol, and thymol. The physicochemical characteristics of the prepared HDESs were investigated, and their structural features were elucidated through FTIR and NMR analyses. In addition, the thermal stability and structural behavior of the HDESs were evaluated by using TGA. To evaluate the extraction capability of the HDESs, initial mandelic acid concentration and HDES-aqueous phase volumetric ratios were investigated. Additionally, reactive extraction was conducted using tri-n-octylamine (TOA). Extraction efficiencies (E%) above 95% were obtained in both physical and reactive extractions using HDESs formulated with eucalyptol and either TOPO or TBP. Our results demonstrate the significant potential of these environmentally friendly HDESs for sustainable chemical separation processes.