Extraction and Characterization of Phytochemicals

Recent advances in phytochemical uses have shown its activity as protective role against a variety of diseases, which marks its importance in developing functional food and even in nutraceuticals. Extraction from plant materials is a crucial step to the food processing industries. The whole process revolves around eliminating the less concerned part to maximize benefits out of herbs. The main aim of standardizing the extraction procedures is to eliminate unwanted material and to obtain the most enriched bioactive portion of the herbs, with maximal therapeutic potential using different solvent systems. Recent advances have developed a wide range of technologies in extraction of active components and other aromatic essential oils from plants and herbs having a known therapeutic value. Adoption of a certain procedure depends upon the yield and economic feasibility of the process concerned with the plant. This chapter gives a complete insight into the various available methods for phytochemical extraction, their purification, and finally its characterization.