Abstract
Abstract Coffee processing is one of the largest agricultural sectors in the world, but it is responsible for generating 15–20 million tons of coffee by-products per year. These by-products are generated at all supply chain stages, from harvesting to brewing, with spent coffee grounds (SCG) being the by-product generated after brewing the coffee beverage. For every 1 kg of coffee powder, 2 kg of spent coffee grounds are generated with a moisture content of around 60–80%. Improper disposal can significantly impact the environment by polluting natural resources and increasing the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms and insects. On the other hand, some chemical compounds in the composition of SCG can have toxic effects, inhibiting plant growth and soil microbiota. SCG contains chlorogenic acids (0.04–0.10 g/100 g), caffeine (0.46–0.83 g/100 g), oil (9.95–24.30 g/100 g), fiber (47.30–60.46 g/100 g), proteins (2.29–16.12 g/100 g), carbohydrates (24.09–69.46 g/100 g). These components can be isolated and converted into high-added-value products, which may exhibit different biological properties. After proper extraction and processing, these components can be applied in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) stand out for being sustainable, biodegradable, and less toxic, making them promising solvents for the recovery of high-added-value compounds from SCG. One of DESs main advantages is its possible recovery and reuse in other extraction processes. Therefore, this paper explores using DES in extracting high-aggregate compounds from SCG, showing their advantages, classifications, and physicochemical properties as a possible alternative to conventional extraction methods.Graphical Abstract
NETL
NSTL
Springer Nature