Green extraction processes, biorefineries and sustainability: Recovery of high added-value products from natural sources

The role of compressed fluids-based extraction techniques for the sustainable recovery of valuable products from natural sources is described and discussed. Important aspects for green process design including the use of new solvents with novel properties, the development of integrated and intensified multi-unit operation processes as well as scale-up and techno-economic and environmental assessment are emphasized. Within this important research field, some key aspects are identified for the future development of more efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable processes for bioactives recovery from natural sources. The use of biorefinery platforms based on the use of supercritical and/or pressurized fluids will have a critical importance in the near future.The authors would like to thank Projects AGL2014-53609-P (MINECO, Spain), i-LINK-1096 (CSIC, Spain) and ABACUS (Algae for a Biomass Applied to the produCtion of added value compoundS, Grant number 745668–call H2020-BBI-2016-R09, BBI-JU, EU) for financial support.Peer reviewe