Hansen solubility parameters for selection of green extraction solvents

Nowadays, green extraction processes are focused on the development of new strategies to achieve sustainable separation processes, promoting the use of alternative solvents from renewable sources. Green solvents have risen as an option that can replace petroleum based solvents, however, they should retain the same extraction properties and technological features. The choice of the solvent is a crucial step in the solvent-substitution process, so Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) have been successfully used as a real decision-making tool. For the first time, this work aims to give an overview of HSP as solvent selection tool for extraction of bioactive compounds from natural products. It includes a brief description about the emerging green solvents extraction, the HSP theory and an updated discussion of the most recent publications (from 2009 till January 2019). Finally, some concluding remarks about the importance of using this solvent selection approach in the near future are included. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.