DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS (DES)
Reimagining Chemistry with Nature-Inspired, Greener Solvents
Inspired by nature, DES are the next-gen organic chemicals designed to upgrade processes and products to the most efficient, sustainable and safest level achieved.
Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are a novel class of green solvents that combine sustainability, safety, and high solvency power. They are formed by mixing two or more simple components — typically a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor — into a eutectic mixture with a melting point lower than the individual components [Ferreira et al., 2024].
Unlike conventional petrochemical solvents, DES are non-toxic, non-flammable, biodegradable, and stable in water, offering safer handling and greater compatibility with active molecules [Socas-Rodríguez et al., 2021].
Their tunable physicochemical properties allow custom solvent systems to be designed for specific industrial applications, from agrifood to cosmetics and beyond [Luque-Uría et al., 2025].
This unique balance of performance, safety, and sustainability positions DES as one of the most promising nature-inspired alternatives to petrochemical solvents, shaping the future of green and functional chemistry.
Why DES Value
With their unique combination of safety, sustainability, and performance, DES deliver advantages unmatched by conventional solvents:
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Efficacy booster
enhances performance of poorly soluble molecules [Trombino et al., 2022; Jeliński et al., 2024]. -
High solvency power
improves solubility and stability of challenging molecules [Jeliński et al., 2019]. -
Tunability
adaptable to diverse molecular and process requirements [Ferreira et al., 2024]. -
Non-toxic and biocompatible
safe for actives and end-users [Batista et al., 2022]. -
Eco-friendly and biodegradable
sustainable alternative to petrochemical solvents [Socas-Rodríguez et al., 2021]. -
Stable in water-based systems
compatible with a wide range of formulations [Luque-Uría et al., 2025]. -
Safe to handle
non-flammable, low-risk, and effective at low operating temperatures [Wang et al., 2022].
DES as Strategy
Our Approach to DES
At Promethea Biochem Solutions, DES are more than a research interest — they are a strategic platform integrated into both our proprietary R&D and CRDMO services. Since the beginning, we have designed DES systems for the extraction, solubilization, stabilization, and formulation of natural compounds, building a robust portfolio of unique, science-backed innovations — many protected by patents or in the process of protection, ensuring industrial readiness and long-term value.
Advanced DES Extraction for High-Performance Botanical Actives
Our teams specialize in botanical and algal actives such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and carotenoids, where DES technologies consistently deliver higher yields, preserved bioactivity, and improved solubility. These innovations not only strengthen our own pipeline but also provide partners with exclusive competitive advantages that are difficult to replicate.
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Our Applications of DES
- While DES hold promise across many domains, our expertise is concentrated in four core applications:
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Extraction
Efficient recovery of target compounds from natural sources using customized DES systems, preserving bioactivity even at low processing temperatures while reducing energy demand. -
Solubilization
Enhancing solubility of poorly soluble molecules, improving bioavailability and boosting functional performance in formulations.
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Stabilization
Protecting sensitive compounds against oxidation or degradation, extending shelf life and ensuring consistent efficacy. -
Formulations
Incorporating DES into delivery systems for optimized performance, greener processing, and novel functionalities.
We can study your process and propose how the DES can improve the performance in terms of:
Cost
Safety
Eco compatibility
Reimagine Chemistry with DES
As a core part of our proprietary R&D, we design new DES systems, validate their efficacy and industrial potential, and protect them with patents — addressing critical challenges in sustainable innovation and product performance across agrifood, cosmetics, household, and industrial sectors.
Through our CRDMO model, we give partners access to this expertise: customizing DES applications to specific needs, from laboratory-scale feasibility to pilot production, and seamless scale-up through our global manufacturing network.
This combination of innovation and delivery ensures DES are not just a scientific concept — they become sustainable, high-performance solutions available at scale.
Our DES platform enables:
- Greener, sustainable alternatives to petrochemical solvents
- Tunable systems adapted to molecule-specific needs
- High-performance extractions that preserve bioactivity
- Solubility enhancement for poorly soluble molecules
- Stability and protection of sensitive actives
- Custom formulations with improved efficacy and compliance
- Competitive advantage through proprietary DES-based technologies
- Scalable solutions validated through proprietary R&D and CRDMO
