Foods· 2026Q1· Review
Unlocking the Potential of Rosmarinus officinalis L.: Modern and Sustainable Strategies for the Extraction of Bioactive Metabolites for Cosmetic and Functional Food Applications
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Emerging technologies like ultrasound, microwave, and supercritical fluid extraction can improve rosemary's bioactive compound yield and stability compared to conventional methods, supporting sustainable production for cosmetics and functional foods.
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Key points
- Emerging extraction technologies (ultrasound, microwave, pulsed electric field, enzyme-assisted, deep eutectic solvents) are compared with conventional methods (hydrodistillation, steam distillation, Soxhlet, supercritical fluid extraction).
- Extraction strategies significantly impact the recovery and stability of key rosemary compounds like carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene.
- Emerging technologies offer potential improvements in extraction yield and processing time.
- The environmental performance and compound stability depend on specific process configurations, solvent selection, and energy/water consumption.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The food and cosmetics industries are showing increasing scientific interest in plant-based bioactive compounds, positioning rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) as a high-value source of phytochemicals with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This review analyzes the principal methods used to extract rosemary bioactive metabolites, comparing conventional techniques with emerging approaches in terms of extraction efficiency, sustainability, and preservation of bioactive compounds. The discussion covers hydrodistillation, steam distillation, Soxhlet extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, as well as emerging technologies such as ultrasound, microwave, pulsed electric field, enzyme-assisted extraction, and deep eutectic solvents. Particular attention is given to how extraction strategies influence the recovery and stability of major compounds, including carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmarinic acid, 1,8-cineole, and α-pinene, considering their different physicochemical properties. Overall, emerging technologies may improve extraction yield or reduce processing time under specific conditions; however, their environmental performance and ability to preserve compound stability depend on solvent selection, energy and water consumption, process configuration, and downstream requirements. These advances support the sustainable production of rosemary-derived ingredients with promising applications in functional foods and cosmetic formulations.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Foods, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Biochemistry (Medicine)
BiochemistryMedicine