Solvent-free microwave extraction of bioactive compounds provides a tool for green analytical chemistry

•Recent advances in solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) are reviewed.•Types of solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) compared to conventional techniques.•Solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) as a tool for green analytical chemistry.•Safety considerations and trends in solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME).

We present an overview on solvent-free microwave-extraction techniques of bioactive compounds from natural products. This new technique is based on the concept of green analytical chemistry. It has proved to be an alternative to other techniques with the advantages of reducing extraction times, energy consumption, solvent use and CO2 emissions.