Microwave-assisted method for simultaneous hydrolysis and extraction in obtaining ellagic acid, gallic acid and essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus leaves using Brönsted acidic ionic liquid [HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4

• Comprehensive utilization of Eucalyptus globulus leaves.
• Brönsted acidic ionic liquid microwave-assisted hydrolysis and extraction was used.
• [HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4 showed excellent dual solvent-catalytic effect.
• This method provided with higher yields, shorter time and lower energy consumption.
• Stability of ellagic acid and gallic acid was validated.

Brönsted acidic ionic liquid and microwave energy are introduced for catalytic hydrolysis of hydrolysable tannins into ellagic acid and gallic acid and simultaneous extraction bioactive substances in the present study. Brönsted acidic ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted simultaneous hydrolysis and extraction (BMSHE) method was employed in obtaining ellagic acid, gallic acid and essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus leaves. [HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4 was used as a dual hydrolysis catalyst and extraction solvent in the proposal approach. The optimized parameters were obtained as follows: [HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4 concentration of 1.0 M, liquid–solid ratio of 30 mL/g, microwave irradiation time of 20 min and microwave irradiation power of 385 W. Yields of ellagic acid, gallic acid and essential oil under these conditions are 3.32 ± 0.08 mg/g, 3.83 ± 0.11 mg/g and 4.82 ± 0.18 mg/g, respectively. Compared with the reference solvent, [HO3S(CH2)4mim]HSO4 shows excellent solvent effect and catalytic activity. Comparison between BMSHE and hydrodistillation indicated the proposed approach is a high efficient, time-saving, low energy consumption and eco-benign methodology. Method validation studies also evidenced that BMSHE is credible for the preparation of ellagic acid and gallic acid. It is reasonable to assume that this method would become a new potential candidate for the preparation of some other kinds of bioactive substances from plant materials.