A Brief Review on Fruit and Vegetable Extracts as Corrosion Inhibitors in Acidic Environments

The corrosion of metals, i.e., the initiation and acceleration of the surface deterioration of metals through an electrochemical reaction with the surrounding intrusive environment, is a global concern because of the economic and environmental impacts. Corrosion inhibitors are considered the most practical choice among the available corrosion protection techniques due to their effectiveness in terms of functionality and cost. The use of traditional and toxic corrosion inhibitors has led to environmental issues, arousing the need for green counterparts that are environmentally friendly, easily accessible, biodegradable, and cost-effective. In this review, the utilization of green corrosion inhibitors purely acquired from renewable sources is explored, with an in-depth focus on the recent advancements in the use of fruit and vegetable extracts as green corrosion inhibitors. In particular, fruits and vegetables are natural sources of various phytochemicals that exhibit key potential in corrosion inhibition. To shed light on the true potential of such extracts in the protection of steel in acidic environments, the experimental techniques involved in corrosion inhibition and the mechanism of corrosion inhibition are discussed in detail. The study highlights the potential of fruit and vegetable extracts as non-toxic, economical, and effective corrosion inhibitors in the pursuit of green chemistry. In addition to discussing and outlining the current status and opportunities for employing fruit and vegetable extracts as corrosion inhibitors, the current review outlines the challenges involved in the utilization of such extracts in corrosion inhibition.