Caffeine Analysis Through the Lens of Green Chemistry: A Review of Sustainable Techniques and Emerging Trends

Globally, caffeine is one of the most frequently consumed psychoactive substances and is present in drinks, food products, and medicines. Moderate caffeine consumption benefits health, acting as an antioxidant, cardiovascular protector, neuroprotective agent, etc. Caffeine extraction and analysis by conventional approaches usually depend on toxic solvents and produce large volumes of waste, which constitutes an environmental challenge. Green analytical chemistry has been developed to provide sustainable alternatives that are green, affordable, and less hazardous methods. This article covers various green extraction methods. It also highlights green analytical techniques for caffeine determination while focusing on the reduction of solvent utilization and waste generation. Using different matrices, green electrochemical and fluorescence-based sensors are created for the sensitive and quick detection of caffeine. The expanding use of green chemistry principles for caffeine analysis is indicative of a growing need for further exploration and discovery of sustainable practices in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. This review presents a comprehensive overview of caffeine, emphasizing green extraction techniques, sustainable analytical approaches, and recent advances in electrochemical sensor and Fluorescence sensor applications.