Valorization of Plant Bark Extracts and Compounds
Summary
Plant bark, often regarded as an agricultural or forestry residue, is emerging as a valuable feedstock for biorefineries seeking to maximise resource efficiency and drive circular economy strategies. Bark contains a complex matrix of lignin, suberin, polysaccharides and a rich array of low-molecular-weight extractives, including phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenoids. By selectively isolating these constituents, researchers have unlocked applications in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and advanced materials. Valorization approaches range from traditional solvent extractions to green technologies such as supercritical fluids and designer deep eutectic solvents. These methods not only enhance yield and purity but also reduce environmental impact by minimising toxic reagents. Integrating bark valorization into forest-based biorefineries supports sustainable supply chains, adds economic value to by-products and mitigates waste. The global importance of this research lies in turning an abundant lignocellulosic side stream into a source of high-value bioactive compounds, advancing both industrial innovation and ecological stewardship.
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Valorization of Plant Bark Extracts and Compounds publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in valorization of plant bark extracts and compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biorefinery: An integrated facility that converts biomass into fuels, energy, chemicals and materials through cascade processing.
Extractives: Low-molecular-weight compounds in biomass (e.g., phenolics, waxes, terpenoids) that can be isolated by solvent extraction.
Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES): A mixture of two or more components that forms a eutectic with a melting point lower than that of the individual constituents, used as a tunable green solvent.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction: A technique employing fluids above their critical temperature and pressure (commonly CO₂) to dissolve and recover target compounds without organic residues.
Lipophilic vs Polar Extracts: Classifications of biomass extracts based on solubility: lipophilic fractions are soluble in non-polar media, whereas polar extracts dissolve in aqueous or polar organic solvents.
References
- Green Extraction of Cork Bioactive Compounds Using Natural Deep Eutectic Mixtures. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2022).
- Extraction of High Value Triterpenic Acids from Eucalyptus globulus Biomass Using Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents. Molecules (2020).
- Tools for Bark Biorefineries: Studies toward Improved Characterization of Lipophilic Lignocellulosic Extractives by Combining Supercritical Fluid and Gas Chromatography. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2020).
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