Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Multifunctional Media for the Valorization of Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

The use of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as multifunctional solvents for limonene bioprocessing was reported. NADES were used for the extraction of limonene from orange peel wastes, as solvent for the chemoenzymatic epoxidation of limonene, and as sacrificial electron donor for the in situ generation of H₂ O₂ to promote the epoxidation reaction. The proof-of-concept for this multifunctional use was provided, and the scope and current limitations of the concept were outlined.