Recovery of phenolic compounds from effluents by a microemulsion liquid membrane (MLM) extractor

- Emulsion and microemulsion liquid membranes (ELM and MLM, respectively) were prepared.
- ELM and MLM were used to extract phenolics from a pistachio peel effluent.
- MLM was more efficient although had larger droplets and higher apparent viscosity.
- A beehive-like structure was suggested for organization of nanodroplets in MLM.
- XRD confirmed the formation of reverse micelles in membranes of extractors.