The improvement of sample-preparation and extraction techniques for determinations of natural bioactive compounds is very important. New concepts relate to not only enhancement of extraction efficiencies but also environmental impact. This evolution towards Green Analytical Chemistry is to new extraction and sample-preparation processes that should be faster, more reproducible and more environmentally friendly.Compressed fluid-based sample-preparation techniques (e.g., supercritical fluid extraction and pressurized liquid extraction) demonstrate good capabilities. In this review, we update knowledge on the techniques together with the main technical developments and the most notable recent applications for the extraction of bioactive compounds. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

M.H. would like to thank MICIIN for a Ramón y Cajal research contract. M.C.P. thanks MINECO for her Juan de la Cierva research contract.The authors thank projects AGL2011-29857-C03-01, CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010 CSD2007-00063 FUN-C-FOOD (Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia) and ALIBIRD, project S-505/AGR-0153, (Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid) for financial support.

Peer Reviewed