Microwave: An Ecologically Innovative, Green Extraction Technology

Background: Recently, the microwave has shown tremendous research interest and potential for the extraction of phytoconstituents from plant resources as there is a need for the advancement of performance in the extraction method. Extraction is the first basic step in the preparation of crude extract followed by isolation, and characterization of isolated components related to current analytical chemistry. The current use of microwaves implements green technology and satisfies the demand for getting the maximum yield of the target compound. Methods: Research articles related to the current research topics on Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) were collected and reviewed. Results: MAE promises to be a novel extraction technique for the extraction of phytoconstituents from natural sources than other conventional extraction techniques. Conclusion: Microwave-assisted extraction is proved to be advantageous as this method permits specificity, higher yield, selectivity, and extraction efficiency over traditional methods such as Soxhlet extraction, maceration and others along with reduced time and solvent consumption, less environmental pollution, and reduced degradation of thermolabile constituents.