Chromatographic Methods for the Separation of Naturally Occurring Bioactive Compounds and Their Applications in Industry

Abstract

Chromatographic methods are widely used for the separation and analysis of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, which are critical in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics industries. These methods provide high precision in isolating complex compounds, contributing to their diverse industrial applications. However, conventional chromatographic techniques often face limitations such as low efficiency in separating compounds with similar properties, high operational costs, and extended analysis times. To address these challenges, this study introduces Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography for Bioactive Separation (MEC-BS), a novel framework that leverages micelles as pseudo-stationary phases in capillary electrophoresis. MEC-BS improves separation efficiency by enhancing resolution and enabling the simultaneous analysis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. The proposed method demonstrates its utility in the precise separation and analysis of bioactive compounds from natural products, such as plant extracts and marine-derived substances. MEC-BS offers a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional techniques, making it suitable for industrial applications. The findings indicate that MEC-BS provides superior separation efficiency, shorter analysis times, and better reproducibility, establishing it as a robust method for industrial applications requiring high-quality bioactive compound separation.