The NADES Design team offers a fully sustainable and innovative approach to producing herbal formulations that may have anti-aging, antioxidant, antitumor, and other beneficial effects. The preparation process is based on the design of new green solvents – natural NADES solvents (Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents, NADES), which are used to extract targeted molecules from plants. These solvents are 100% natural, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, non-volatile and easy to prepare.
Today, products labeled as natural—such as natural cosmetics, food products, or medicines—are increasingly common. However, it is important to keep in mind that natural does not necessarily mean safe. Natural products imply that a certain ingredient is typically isolated from a plant, even though that production process may not comply with green principles. Often, harmful organic solvents are used, which can be toxic, flammable, and explosive. Their volatility also contributes to global air pollution (41% of total emissions of harmful volatile substances originate from industrial organic solvents). One of the products obtained through such approaches are herbal preparations, whose market value is estimated at 30 billion USD. An analysis of current production and demand shows that the market has potential for growth and innovation in a green direction, in line with the European Green Deal for reducing CO₂ emissions. Current technology for preparing herbal formulations does not keep pace with the rapid development of industry and does not align with innovation and ecological trends. This issue needs to be addressed through innovations such as the solutions offered by the NADES Design team.
To meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in which we currently live, alternatives to harmful organic solvents have been developed, including NADES green solvents. NADES solvents enable the preparation of herbal products in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, while also making them safe for human use. Every plant has a very specific composition, and our newly designed NADES solvents allow selective extraction of desired compounds. These solvents are 100% natural, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, non-volatile, easy to prepare, and their most significant advantage is the ability to dissolve up to 1000 times higher concentrations of molecules compared to conventional solvents. When comparing the effects of herbal NADES preparations with currently available ones, our formulations show better targeted activity.
In addition to a fully sustainable and innovative production approach, we offer a service of designing herbal preparations according to customer requirements and needs, as well as the ability to solve potential production challenges (e.g., solubility and stability of molecules). Our solution is a ready-to-use product, meaning no adjustments to existing processes are required. Altogether, this provides a competitive marketing advantage.
Under the visionary leadership of Prof. Ivana Radojčić Redovniković, we came together at the Laboratory for Cell Technology, Application, and Biotransformation at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb. Our team consists of six scientists who successfully combine academic and entrepreneurial careers. The initial team—Prof. Ivana Radojčić Redovniković, Kristina Radošević, and Marina Cvjetko Bubalo—has been strengthened by young researchers Manuela Panić, Mia Radović, and Martina Bagović. We cover all areas from preparation, characterization, safety assessment, and application of NADES, to the preparation of herbal formulations. Our enthusiasm for discovering and implementing innovations is evident in the number of published scientific papers, more than 15 established international and national collaborations, and awarded projects, making us one of the leading teams in applying green technologies in food technology and biotechnology. A special contribution to the academic community comes from our approximately 40 papers that rank among the top 1% most cited in the field of green technologies. After years of research and development, we are ready to apply our achievements for the benefit of society and make a leap into entrepreneurship.
New knowledge and learning from experts in the SPOCK program were the main motivation for joining the sixth generation. Additionally, all the connections and contacts we have gained open opportunities for further collaboration on future interdisciplinary projects. Setting high standards, combined with a relaxed atmosphere and openness, enables us to overcome all obstacles without fear. By the end of this program, our goal is to establish a spin-off company and secure initial funding through competitions, which would allow part of the team to transition from academia to entrepreneurship. In the near future, we see ourselves as regional leaders in the design and application of NADES solvents and green technologies in industry.
