ABSTRACT
The method of extraction is applied for hydrometallic processes, in the pharmaceutical industry for producing active agents, in the petroleum industry for production of monomers and aromates, and for the cleaning of waste water to separate solved compounds. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemical compounds in plant-based foods. The solvent or the extraction agents used in the preparation of phytopharmaceuticals must be suitable for dissolving the important therapeutic drug constituents and thus for separating them from the substances containing the drugs which are to be extracted. For all extraction processes, the regeneration by further separation processes is necessary. In many cases, the regeneration step is the most cost intensive part of the whole process. Selectivity, ease of handling, economy, protection of the environment, and safety are major factors to be considered in the choice of the suitable solvent or of a mixture of several solvents.
