New study uses waste biomass, biobased solvent to extract key nutrient to combat COVID-19

In Australia, new research published in the ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering journal used renewable solvent Cyrene – produced by biotechnology company Circa Group from waste biomass – to extract two key phytonutrients, hesperidin and rutin, natural flavonoids being looked at to help tackle COVID-19, as it binds to the virus’ key proteins and counteracts cell-damaging effects triggered by infection and inflammation.

Hesperidin and rutin are natural flavonoids, traditionally extracted from citrus fruits and tea leaves respectively, by using large amounts of ethanol or methanol solvents. The study’s authors wanted to take a more sustainable extraction approach by using agro-industrial waste and bio-based alternatives to traditional, toxic solvents.

Researchers found that Cyrene was very effective when extracting hesperidin and rutin from dried orange peel and tea. Adding water to CyreneTM enhances the solubility and extraction of hesperidin and rutin up to ten times than those of the original pure form. The study concludes that the “extraction methodology used is environmentally friendly and offers future potential of isolation of other flavonoids.”